A Ukrainian political analyst speaks out post-Washington summit: "Individuals yearn for peace, but not at any cost"
In the heart of Europe, Ukraine continues to grapple with the ongoing war that has plagued the nation for years. Amidst the turmoil, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been navigating the challenging political landscape, seeking robust, multilateral security guarantees from Western partners and allies.
The recent scandal involving the Anti-Corruption Bureau NABU has taken a toll on Zelensky's approval ratings, but swift correction and support from Europe has helped stabilize them. However, the NABU question remains, and pressure on Ukraine persists.
The Ukrainian government is not seeking NATO membership as a quick fix, understanding that it is a longer-term goal not currently supported by some influential political figures such as former U.S. President Trump. Instead, Ukraine is considering a layered security architecture, combining several measures to provide the strongest possible protection short of NATO membership.
Key elements of this architecture include the establishment of a civilian monitoring mission to patrol occupied lines, ideally led by a neutral organization acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia. The mission would aim to stabilize ceasefires and reduce the risk of renewed violence.
Another consideration is a security arrangement similar in principle to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense guarantee, although specific details are still under negotiation. The Ukrainian government also seeks active involvement and pressure from the United States, European partners, and other members of the “Coalition of the Willing” to collaborate on these guarantees with Ukrainian military and security officials.
The goal of these guarantees is to give Ukraine the leverage and assurance needed to negotiate peace deals with Russia, backed by the commitment of Western states to enforce them and deter further Russian aggression. Political and military discussions continue around defining how Western forces might be involved, with current U.S. policy ruling out deploying American troops on Ukrainian soil.
Europe supports Ukraine, not Zelensky personally, and an alternative to NATO membership could be a mutual defense pact with its partners, similar to what the USA has with Israel or Egypt. The Ukrainian society is war-weary and willing to make compromises for peace, but not at the expense of their territory or security.
The joint appearance of Zelensky with seven European heads of government in Washington was received very positively in Ukraine. A possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky is expected to discuss a ceasefire, but a comprehensive peace agreement could be a trap for Ukraine. Trump is not expected to join direct talks between Zelensky and Putin in the near future.
Zelensky has presented proposals for security guarantees, which should be concretized and coordinated within about ten days. The strongest deterrent would be the readiness to fight against the aggressor together with Ukraine. The Ukrainian society has a clear majority of disapproval towards Trump after the incident in the Oval Office in February, but the most important result for Ukraine was the agreement on a three-way meeting.
The question of security guarantees for an end to the war is very important to the Ukrainian society, not just for Zelenskyy. A ceasefire along the front line is a position accepted by the majority of Ukrainians, but only under the condition of real security guarantees. The focus remains on developing practical, enforceable steps acceptable to key partners and Ukraine itself, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a durable peace for the nation.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
