Zelenskyy says Russia’s security guarantees must wait until Ukraine’s guarantees and war terms are clear
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is seeking security guarantees of its own, but discussions should wait until the terms for ending the war and Ukraine’s guarantees are clear. He said Moscow wants a separate agreement with NATO or the United States and had raised the issue during a meeting with former President Joe Biden before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
More context
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia’s request for guarantees should be addressed only after the war’s end terms and Ukraine’s own guarantees are clear. Speaking to journalists on Oct. 27, Zelenskyy said, “We cannot discuss any global security guarantees for Russia until it becomes clear how and on what terms its war against Ukraine will end,” RBC-Ukraine reported. The Kyiv Independent reported that he described Moscow as seeking a separate agreement with NATO or the United States that would change Europe’s and the world’s security framework. Zelenskyy said the Kremlin was framing the demand as security guarantees amid negotiations to end the war. RBC-Ukraine also reported that he said Russia had raised the issue with former President Joe Biden before the full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had also asked the United States and European countries for guarantees.
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Reporting
- The Kyiv Independent — Russia wants deal with NATO to reshape Europe's security order, Zelensky says
- RBC-Ukraine — Zelenskyy warns against Russia’s push to roll NATO back to 1997 | RBC-Ukraine
- Financial Times — Subscribe to read
- Ukrainska Pravda — Ukraine expects trilateral technical meeting in Abu Dhabi to focus on de-escalation | Ukrainska Pravda
Verifier’s note
The Financial Times headline directly reports that Zelenskyy opened the door to guarantees for Russia; Kyiv Independent and RBC-Ukraine also report his remarks about Russia seeking guarantees amid negotiations, with RBC-Ukraine describing them as conditional. Ukrainska Pravda quotes Zelenskyy saying Russia also seeks guarantees, but attributes its report to Ukrinform and European Pravda.