Zelenskyy acknowledged for first time that Russia needs security guarantees, but after war ends – FT
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has for the first time acknowledged Russia’s need for security guarantees as part of a future settlement of its war against Ukraine, but the war must first end, and Kyiv’s security needs must be taken into account.
This was reported by the Financial Times, according to Censor.NET.
On security guarantees for Russia
The newspaper describes this as a significant shift amid renewed diplomatic pressure from the US, which is seeking to restart peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Previously, Kyiv and its Western allies rejected Russia’s demands for security guarantees from NATO and a fundamental restructuring of European security, viewing them as an attempt to restore Moscow’s sphere of influence and undermine its neighbors’ sovereignty.
Zelenskyy said Western countries could discuss Russia’s security demands at a later stage, but insisted that Kyiv’s security needs must be met first.
"First, we need to bring this war to an end, and only then seek answers to the questions Russia raises based on its own views and expectations regarding security," he told journalists.
He also acknowledged that Russia’s demand for security guarantees was "not a new issue." At a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in August last year, Zelenskyy rejected such demands:
"When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees, I honestly don’t know who is threatening it. They attacked us, they are on our land. I don’t really understand what guarantees an aggressor needs. Guarantees of what?"
Europe’s role and the Abu Dhabi talks
- Ukrainian, Russian and American negotiating teams are due to meet in Abu Dhabi in early November. Zelenskyy described this as technical talks on possible de-escalation measures, including an "elusive" energy and maritime ceasefire, as well as on security guarantees for Ukraine.
- According to the president, discussions on a postwar settlement and security guarantees must involve Europe.
"We can discuss conceptual issues with the Russians through American mediation. But if we move on to a framework for security guarantees, and there is agreement that these guarantees will require Europe’s involvement, then Europe must be part of these discussions," he said.
"In my view, security guarantees for Russia — as Russia understands them — mean changing the security architecture in Europe and the world," the president added.
He also reiterated his longstanding demand that territorial issues be discussed only at the level of leaders, and said Ukraine was "ready" to discuss the American proposal for a demilitarized zone on both sides of the front line. He had also "heard signals" about a possible reduction in American troops in Europe.
Relations with the US and air defense
According to the newspaper, relations between Washington and Kyiv deteriorated sharply in October after Donald Trump pressured Ukraine to halt long-range drone strikes on Russia’s oil industry. Ukrainian officials complained of delays in air defense missile deliveries, a suspension of intelligence sharing on missile strikes and restrictions on Starlink services. Intelligence sharing and access to Starlink were later restored, but the disruptions heightened fears that Washington could withdraw its support for Ukraine, according to the FT.
Zelenskyy said the US had supplied an average of just 12 interceptor missiles a month for Ukraine’s Patriot systems this year. In early October, he estimated that Russia had stockpiled around 700 ballistic missiles and was producing another 130 each month.
Zelenskyy also acknowledged that Kyiv had recently slowed the pace of attacks on Russian oil refineries since Trump announced a unilateral energy ceasefire: "These days, our guys have probably been trying to be a little more cautious."
