Ukrainian partners could wait for a peace treaty between Ukraine and Russia, but as President Volodymyr Zelensky noted, this may never happen. That is why a ceasefire alone is sufficient to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, UNIAN reports. 

“These effective and reliable guarantees must be provided before the war ends,” Zelenskyy claims.

Is the Korean scenario relevant to Ukraine’s situation? 

The Ukrainian president was asked whether a “Korean scenario”, envisioning ending the war without a final peace treaty, is being considered and whether this is being discussed with US President Donald Trump.

“This may be discussed rhetorically, but our story is definitely different from Korea. And this brings us back to the question of security guarantees — why Ukraine needs them. It may happen that there is no final document ending the war,” Zelenskyy explains.

A ceasefire can provide guarantees

The Ukrainian president stressed that security guarantees should not be delayed until the end of the war. He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron shares this view.

“A ceasefire is sufficient to provide security guarantees. We cannot waste time waiting for a clear treaty ending the war,” Zelenskyy says. 

He clarifies that these guarantees must protect Ukraine from new aggression. 

“What security guarantees are important for us? Guarantees that prevent the ‘Russians’ from launching new aggression. Even if they try, they will face real resistance,” he underlines. 

Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that no one is willing to wage a war against the Kremlin, which makes security guarantees “unconvincing.” He added that current guarantees may have the same fate as the Budapest Memorandum, which has not protected Ukraine from aggression, despite the fact that Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons for a military shield by the US, the UK, and Russia. 

In his view, Kyiv requires substantial military aid, instead of empty promises.