Zelenskyy's Stance on Security: A Binding Pact Must Precede Any Territorial Discussions.

Security Guarantees for Ukraine

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the issue of security guarantees for his nation, highlighting a deep-seated distrust of international agreements stemming from the negative experience of the Budapest Memorandum. This context is crucial for understanding Ukraine's current insistence on ironclad assurances. Signed in the 1990s, that memorandum saw Ukraine relinquish its nuclear arsenal and other military hardware, including dozens of aircraft, in exchange for security pledges.

Zelenskyy pointed out that despite receiving these guarantees, Ukraine lost its nuclear deterrent and did not receive adequate protection.

“We gave up nuclear weapons, other weapons, many planes, dozens of planes. Yes, we gave that up, and we received security guarantees that our sovereignty would be ours, and we would have independence. In the end, we don't have those weapons, and we don't have security guarantees, because Russia came, and no one attacked Russia. No one saved our independence,” the president emphasized.

Contemporary Security Challenges

Furthermore, he stressed that any new security guarantees must be formally signed before a peace agreement is finalized.

“Our American friends prepared security guarantees, but said: 'Look, first, first exchange territories, or something like that, and then security guarantees.' That's why I think — first, security guarantees. Second, this does not mean we will give up our territories, because these are different issues,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

President Zelenskyy's remarks reflect the profound concerns of Ukraine's leadership regarding national security in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. The bitter legacy of the Budapest Memorandum has fundamentally shaped Ukraine's skepticism toward international pacts and promises. This historical backdrop underscores the critical importance of establishing clear and reliable security mechanisms for Ukraine today, as questions of territorial integrity and sovereignty remain paramount.