Zelensky rejects final peace agreement scenarios and emphasizes the urgency of secure guarantees now
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again highlighted the complex and multifaceted nature of ending the war, emphasizing that he does not rely on popular models such as the ‘Korean’ or ‘Finnish’ approaches, which envision ending hostilities without a formal peace treaty.
He pointed out that such a final document might never be signed, and this is entirely possible.
Zelensky’s primary focus is on obtaining security guarantees during active hostilities, as Ukraine currently needs protections and preventive measures against further aggression even if an official peace agreement is still in the planning stage or postponed.According to Zelensky, the concept of ‘ending the war’ should not be limited to signing a peace treaty at a specific time.
Even short-term ceasefires or signs of stabilization should serve as a basis for security guarantees.
It is crucial that Ukraine does not wait for the war to officially end to gain protective mechanisms, as this could take many years and pose additional risks.
Zelensky emphasized that even in the worst-case scenario, Russia could be halted, and strong, effective guarantees are necessary for this.The ideas associated with the Korean scenario—where North and South Korea still have no peace treaty—are viewed by Zelensky as only an example.
However, he notes that this model may not be suitable for Ukraine’s security needs.
The South Korean economy and alliance with the USA demonstrate that such a model can have positive effects, but Ukraine’s unique circumstances and ongoing conflict with Russia require a different approach.Currently, Ukraine has about thirty bilateral agreements with various partner countries aiming to demonstrate support and create signals of security, although many of these are formal and do not provide real protection.
Zelensky stresses that it’s time to shift from declarations to concrete mechanisms and actionable steps, as the security of Ukrainian society and its future depend on this.
Political and military analyst Oleg Shamshur discusses the possibility of Ukraine obtaining adequate security guarantees, while international observer Volodymyr Kim analyzes whether allies are ready to offer tangible support; if not, Ukraine risks remaining alone with its challenges.