Zelensky Speaks on Ukraine’s Security Guarantees: Russia Is Not a Potential Partner
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made a clear statement regarding the prospects of obtaining security guarantees amid the ongoing war with Russia.
During a press conference held on August 24 in Kyiv, together with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Garneau, he emphasized that Ukraine completely rejects Russia as a potential security guarantor.
The head of state recalled that the Budapest Memorandum, which was supposed to ensure Ukraine’s safety, had been violated by Russia itself, which failed to honor its commitments.
‘We can no longer rely on guarantees from Russia, as it is no longer a trustworthy partner,’ Zelensky stated, highlighting the need for real assurances from international states capable of defending Ukraine from future acts of aggression or potential destabilization.
In his speech, the president underlined that key actors in this process are countries that have been supporting Ukraine through sanctions, military aid, humanitarian assistance, as well as those facilitating the return of Ukrainian children and prisoners of war.
Zelensky paid special attention to Canada, which has been actively applying sanctions pressure on Russia, often being the first to impose restrictions on Russian individuals and companies, setting a precedent for other nations.
He noted that Ukraine has already aligned numerous sanctions with Canada, with additional measures expected soon based on Ukrainian lists.
Zelensky emphasized that together, countries are increasing pressure on Russia and working to utilize frozen assets to defend Ukraine and prevent further aggression.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously suggested that Russia could act as one of Ukraine’s security guarantors alongside major global players such as the US, China, the UK, France, Turkey, and Germany.
However, Zelensky insists that Russia cannot be considered a reliable partner or guarantor of Ukraine’s security, given its contradictory actions.