Zelenskyy: Putin wants to redraw Europe's borders — Finland, Sweden and the Baltics in the crosshairs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in comments to journalists that Russia is interested in revising the current security system in Europe and seeks to change borders on the continent. According to him, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, and the presence of American military personnel in the Baltic states are subject to potential revision. The statement came against the backdrop of discussions on a new security architecture, which, according to media reports, became one of the main topics of negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11.

An "unsafe" discussion on a new security architecture

According to Zelenskyy, the American side raised the issue of creating a new security structure after the end of the war — referring to potential changes in the security architecture of the world and primarily Europe. The Ukrainian president called such a discussion unsafe because, in his assessment, Russia is interested in revising the existing security system on the continent. That is why, he says, the American side involved Russians in the discussion of this topic.

Changing borders is part of the Russian plan

Zelenskyy's concerns, in his own words, were heightened by Vladimir Putin's statements regarding borders. The President of Ukraine is convinced that the desire to change borders in Europe is part of the Russian plan to revise security guarantees in Europe. "The fact that Putin wants to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure that this lies within his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe," he stated. Zelenskyy also warned that such initiatives could lead to new wars or escalation and reported that he had already discussed this issue with representatives of Northern European countries and other European partners, urging them to take possible risks seriously.

Finland, Sweden, Hungary, and the Baltics — in the discussion zone

Zelenskyy suggested that during talks on Europe's new security architecture, the Russian leader might raise the issue of Finland and Sweden, as well as Hungary and the presence of American military in the Baltic countries. "I think Putin will talk about Finland and Sweden. I am sure he will raise the issue of Hungary and the presence of Americans in the Baltic countries. Therefore, if the Americans really want such a dialogue, supporting the 'Russian' initiative on the security structure in Europe, then it is for all European countries in NATO to decide, not someone else," he emphasized.

Negotiations — only after a ceasefire

At the same time, according to Zelenskyy, such negotiations should only be held after the war against Ukraine has ended. He warned against a situation where issues of a new security architecture would be discussed before the cessation of hostilities and the provision of protection guarantees to Ukraine. We remind you that the issue of Europe's new security architecture was again among the main topics of negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. Moscow again insists on returning NATO to its 1997 positions — according to The New York Times, this was mentioned in a document with the Kremlin's conditions for the post-war structure of Europe, which the Russian side presented during the negotiations. In addition, Russian diplomat Alexey Drobinin stated that Moscow allows for the conclusion of bilateral non-aggression pacts with individual NATO countries, which could provide for additional security guarantees from Russia.