Headline: Zelenksy on Ukraine’s Security: "We Need More Than Paper Promises"
President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine’s need for solid security guarantees beyond mere written agreements, referencing the failed Budapest Memorandum. In an interview with American podcast host Lex Friedman, Zelensky expressed disillusionment with the lack of consequences for countries that guaranteed Ukraine’s security but failed to act when its territorial integrity was compromised.
Zelensky recalled, "Ukraine sent letters to all signatories of the Budapest Memorandum—including the U.S., Russia, UK, France, and China—when parts of Donbas and Crimea were occupied. None responded or engaged in suggested consultations. It’s as if they said, ‘We don’t care.’"
The Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994, was supposed to assure Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal. However, Zelensky believes that the signatories’ inaction since then has rendered the agreement ineffective.
"We can’t rely on paper guarantees; we need actions and commitments that carry weight," Zelensky stated. He also criticized former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for blocking Ukraine’s NATO invitation in 2008, despite former U.S. President George W. Bush’s support for it.
Zelensky has discussed the memorial’s shortcomings with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and expects to continue these discussions. Despite sending similar appeals during the full-scale invasion in February 2022, no respondents came forward even then.
"Ukraine must be able to trust these guarantees," Zelensky emphasized, describing the security situation as a "train of useless paper promises" with the Minsk agreements as the second carriage. He stressed that any solution must include genuine, active participation from the guarantor states.
Original Source: President Zelensky in an interview with American podcaster Lex Friedman
