Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a public statement addressed to journalists, urging NATO countries not to cave in to Russia's security demands while Moscow continues its military operation against Ukraine. According to the head of state, a recent agreement between the US and the Russian Federation regarding diesel fuel demonstrated that a wide variety of future scenarios are possible on the diplomatic track, which are extremely difficult to forecast under current conditions. The statement came amid media reports that Vladimir Putin may demand a NATO rollback to 1997 borders during peace talks on Ukraine.
«A Much Broader and More Specific Issue»
Zelensky reminded that this is not the first time the Kremlin has returned to the topic of security guarantees on its own terms in one format or another. «They say: if you want security guarantees for Ukraine, then we want them for Russia. We need to understand what meaning Russia puts into this. This is not just about Ukraine not striking them. For them, this is a much broader and more specific issue», the president explained. In his assessment, Russia essentially seeks to secure a separate treaty with NATO or with the United States as a key member of the Alliance, which implies a restructuring of the entire security system in Europe and globally.
Warning to Allies: War First, Guarantees Later
Addressing the Alliance's partners, Zelensky formulated a clear stance: «It is impossible to discuss any global security guarantees for them with Russia until it is clear how and on what basis their war against Ukraine will end, and until we know what security guarantees we will have». According to him, issues related to the conflict must be settled first, and only then should answers be sought to the demands that Moscow puts forward based on its own perceptions of security. The president stressed that while he does not know all the nuances of the emerging agreements, he considers it necessary to outline red lines for the allies in advance.
The Issue Was Raised Even Before the Invasion
Zelensky pointed out that the topic of security guarantees for Russia is not new: according to him, Moscow raised this very issue during meetings with former US President Joe Biden even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. «If they are raising this issue again now, then, of course, this is also about the role of NATO», the president noted. He added that Alliance member states are not obligated to discuss their internal decisions with Russia, which is not a member of NATO, but Moscow may once again raise the question of a potential Alliance withdrawal or the removal of its infrastructure from certain territories.
«Neither Russia Nor Ukraine»
Against the backdrop of recent diplomatic signals, Zelensky emphasized that decisions regarding NATO's withdrawal from a particular territory or the removal of the Alliance's military infrastructure can be made exclusively by the member states themselves. «Neither Russia nor Ukraine. I believe that any retreat, any security rollback is a weakness for the Alliance», the president stated. At the same time, he recalled that signals had previously come from Washington regarding a potential reduction in the presence of American military personnel in Europe, which, in his view, makes the Alliance's position even more vulnerable to Moscow's pressure.
Announcement of a Four-Party Meeting
Concluding his speech, Zelensky announced a meeting this week at the level of Ukraine, the US, the EU, and NATO. The consultation format, he said, is designed to develop a coordinated position on all the listed security issues before any of these topics are brought to a bilateral level with Russia.
