The Trap of 1991 by the Russian Foreign Ministry, or What Lies Behind the 'Foundations of Statehood'

The Director of the CIS Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Oleksiy Polishchuk, stated that 'a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable resolution' is only possible if Ukraine 'returns to the foundations of its statehood of the early 1990s, when the international community recognized its independence.' This immediately sparked a wave of hype online: some said that Smolensk Square hints at a willingness to recognize the borders of 1991.

Let's turn off the emotions. Before us lies a classic legal trap. The Kremlin is not even thinking about any return of territories. Polishchuk's logic is cynical and strikes at a completely different point.

Nullification of NATO through the 1990 Declaration

In diplomatic language, 'the foundations of statehood of the early 90s' refers to the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. The main pillar that Moscow relies on is the status of permanent neutrality and non-alignment fixed there. By demanding 'a return to the roots,' Russia is demanding that both Kyiv and Washington legally close the NATO issue once and for all.

Linking Borders and Neutrality

The Russian Foreign Ministry rolls out this thesis as a justification for the White House:

'We recognized Ukraine's borders in 1991 only packaged with its neutral status. Kyiv has unraveled and discarded this package. Therefore, our obligations regarding the borders are nullified.'

Polishchuk directly adds that Moscow continues to insist on Putin's conditions from June 2024 (minus four regions) and the agreements in Anchorage.

Timing for Trump

This 'injection' coincides with the news that Russia has prepared its amendments to the American plan of 27 points. While Trump traverses his summer 'Valley of Death,' Rubio images a pause in negotiations, Moscow publicly packages its tough demands in beautiful international legal wrappers.

The formula is simple: we fix the territories according to the ATO lines (line of combat contact), while legally 'returning' Ukraine to the neutral 1991.

Conclusion

There is no reversal of Moscow to the borders of 1991 - in the fall, they may fix the balance on the map.

Polishchuk's words are a pre-sale preparation for the autumn compromise of the Great Duo. Moscow is bargaining with Washington, indicating a hard price: Ukraine's refusal from NATO must be framed as 'returning to the roots of independence.' In the summer, the parties will burn their remaining military limits at the front, and in the autumn of 2026, this cynical term sheet will be transformed into a 'comprehensive and sustainable resolution.'