Zelenskyy presses for concrete security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that Ukraine’s priority in ongoing diplomatic negotiations is securing robust, legally binding security guarantees from Europe and the United States.

Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, Zelenskyy emphasised that Russia must not be rewarded for its aggression and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.

“Russia has violated its promises so many times already, breached every agreement, and it is very easy for Russia to sabotage peace,” Zelenskyy said. “That is why strong security guarantees are needed for Ukraine, for all of us.”

He added that war must not become a profitable enterprise, stressing Ukraine’s principled positions on sanctions enforcement, accountability for war crimes, the legal status of territories occupied by Russian forces, protection of Russian assets, and obligations for post-war reconstruction.

Frontline Developments

Zelenskyy noted that intense fighting continues across several fronts, including Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. Ukrainian forces have reclaimed territory in key areas despite Russian claims of progress, highlighting the resilience of Ukraine’s defence.

Diplomatic Efforts and Security Guarantees

The president underlined the critical role of international support, particularly from European partners controlling post-war reconstruction funding. “The territorial issue is the most difficult. The issues of money and reconstruction are hard to finalise without the presence of our European partners. To me, this does not seem entirely fair,” he said. Zelenskyy reiterated that security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe are essential to prevent future coercion.

He also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, with the Ukrainian delegation receiving detailed briefings from U.S. negotiators, who have shared their proposals with the Russian side. Zelenskyy will meet his delegation in Ireland to review the progress step by step.

These remarks come amid U.S.-mediated discussions on a proposed peace plan for Ukraine, which has raised concerns over potential pressure on Kyiv to make territorial or political concessions. Zelenskyy’s insistence on firm security guarantees underscores Ukraine’s determination to avoid any agreement that could reward Russian aggression or undermine its sovereignty.

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