Russia Tells UK, EU: Diplomacy, Not NATO, Key to Ukraine Peace

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Ambassador Andrei Kelin tells LBC that Europe’s “steel porcupine” strategy risks prolonging war, while Sergey Lavrov accuses the West of selectively applying UN principles to Ukraine.

By TRH Global Affairs Desk

NEW DELHI, September 18, 2025 — Russia is sharpening its diplomatic messaging toward the West, insisting that the path to peace in Ukraine lies in political negotiation rather than military reinforcement. In an interview with LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin criticized European leaders for arming Kyiv, arguing that their approach risks entrenching — rather than resolving — the conflict.

Kelin urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron to shift from military to diplomatic engagement. “They are saying that they want to turn Ukraine into a ‘steel porcupine’, which continues to threaten Russia. We stand for a diplomatic solution,” he said, emphasizing the need for a “robust, long-term agreement” that secures not only Ukraine and Russia, but the broader European region.

Significantly, Kelin ruled out any role for NATO in a potential settlement, stating flatly that Moscow would “not accept” peacekeeping contingents on Ukrainian soil. His remarks underline Russia’s red lines as Western capitals discuss future security arrangements for Ukraine.

On a possible Putin–Zelensky meeting, Kelin signaled conditional openness: “We do not deny that this can happen, but it should be carefully prepared in line with established diplomatic practice.” The statement suggests Moscow is keeping the door ajar for talks but insists on controlling the format.

The ambassador also moved to de-escalate speculation over Poland and the UK following a drone incident, denying hostile intent. “We have no intention to target Poland and we have no motives to do that at all,” he said, while lamenting what he called a lack of willingness in London and Warsaw for “professional conversation.”

The diplomatic offensive coincides with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s address in Moscow on September 17 to more than 100 ambassadors. Lavrov accused Western governments of a “selective approach” to the UN Charter, charging the UN Secretariat with bias in its handling of the Ukraine crisis. He linked the debate to Russia’s push for UN reform and the upcoming election of the next Secretary-General, underscoring Moscow’s intent to reshape the global diplomatic order in its favor.

Taken together, Kelin’s remarks in London and Lavrov’s statements in Moscow illustrate Russia’s dual-track strategy: publicly rejecting NATO’s involvement, blaming the West for prolonging the war, and simultaneously projecting itself as a champion of a “final, once-and-for-all” settlement. The approach positions Moscow as seeking dialogue while putting the burden of escalation on Western capitals.

For Britain, the interview reflects the collapse of post-Cold War diplomatic engagement with Russia. Kelin himself admitted that bilateral relations in politics, economy, and trade have “practically ceased,” leaving only limited contacts. That blunt admission points to a frozen relationship unlikely to thaw soon — unless, as Moscow insists, Europe reconsiders its military-first approach to Ukraine.

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