Ukraine expects the United States to implement security guarantees that are no worse than those enjoyed by Israel — Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated the need to receive strong, reliable security guarantees from the United States, comparing them to the model of guarantees that Israel has. He made this statement during a conversation with journalists on Friday, and the information was disseminated by the agencies "Interfax-Ukraine" and "European Pravda". In his opinion, these guarantees are essential to ensure Ukraine’s protection and stability amidst Russian aggression and internal challenges. Zelensky emphasized that the country particularly needs modern air defense systems like the Patriot, as this weapon could significantly strengthen Ukraine’s defenses and secure the sky over Ukraine. "There are issues I am actively discussing with our partners regarding security guarantees from the United States. We are very eager to obtain them at least as strong as Israel's," he stated. This reflects Ukraine’s desire not only for words of support but also for concrete mechanisms and guarantees that can help deter possible military threats. Furthermore, the president highlighted the importance of involving European forces in Ukraine’s security matters, especially in the format of deploying military contingents. According to him, this initiative requires support from the US, as they can provide additional diplomatic and military backing. Zelensky noted that this does not necessarily mean the direct deployment of American troops on Ukrainian territory, but includes other forms of cooperation: intelligence work, cyber defense, and, of course, Patriot air defense systems. "We are talking about security guarantees in land, air, and sea domains. This is the full spectrum of our security, and it must all be protected," Zelensky said. This demonstrates Ukraine’s strategic vision as a country capable of defending its borders across multiple dimensions. Earlier, media reported that the administration of former President Donald Trump provided Ukrainian leadership in Paris with a brief document containing proposals to resolve the conflict. This one-page proposal indicated that the US was ready to recognize Russian control over Crimea and relax sanctions against Moscow if a corresponding peace treaty is signed and compromises are reached. This sparked considerable resonance and cast doubt on the prospects for reaching a final compromise in resolving the conflict. Meanwhile, Zelensky has repeatedly stated that the US offered its strategy for Ukraine’s future territorial integrity during negotiations in London on April 24. However, he noted that after these talks, a new document emerged that differed significantly from the initial proposals. According to the president, Ukrainian-European and American representatives involved in these discussions examined various scenarios, resulting in the so-called "new paper." Details of this new documentation were published by the British outlet "The Telegraph". According to the published information, Ukraine, in its search for peaceful resolution, is considering the possibility of gaining international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories. The core idea is to prohibit Russia from officially recognizing its authority over these lands, which would be a key step in a long-term strategy to reclaim territories and strengthen Ukraine’s position internationally. The next steps and diplomatic efforts will ultimately determine the format and prospects of future conflict resolution. However, it is clear that Kyiv continues its efforts to secure security guarantees that could help prevent further escalations and enhance international support in the fight for independence and territorial integrity. The process involves not only diplomacy but also balancing the interests of major global players, which is crucial for Ukraine’s and the region’s future.