World · Europe · 11 hrs ago
Zelenskyy warns US-backed European security talks could benefit Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia could exploit new European security talks linked to efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
He said Moscow could use broader negotiations to weaken NATO and seek changes to Europe’s borders.
The United States has asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of the Donbas it still controls in exchange for joining NATO.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not surrender its territory or commit to neutrality, which would require a constitutional change.
Ukraine is discussing a package with partners that could include NATO and EU security guarantees, military and financial support, and a recovery plan.
Zelenskyy said any deal would not recognize occupied Ukrainian land as Russian, and Ukraine’s public would be asked to weigh in if the United States confirms the proposed terms.
He said European NATO members should decide security changes only after the war ends, with a ceasefire and guarantees for Ukraine coming first.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that a U.S.-floated European security framework could let Russia weaken NATO and seek changes to Europe’s borders.
He said broader security talks should not displace efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said the United States had asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of the Donbas it does not control in exchange for NATO membership.
He said Ukraine would not surrender territory or commit to neutrality, and that any security arrangement must not recognize occupied land as Russian.
He said Ukraine’s partners were discussing a package that could include NATO and EU guarantees, military and financial support, and a recovery plan.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned about the security talks.
- What
- He said a proposed U.S.-floated European security framework could benefit Russia by weakening NATO and enabling changes to Europe’s borders.
- When
- Zelenskyy spoke to reporters Friday; his comments were embargoed until Saturday.
- Where
- The talks concern Europe’s security and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s comments were reported from Dublin by CBC.
- Why
- He said Moscow could use broader security discussions to shift attention from ending the war and pursue changes to NATO and Europe’s borders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Zelenskyy said Putin raised similar ideas about redistributing power in Europe and the world with then-President Joe Biden.
Zelenskyy told reporters the proposed European security framework could be dangerous and should not be the main agenda.
Ukrainian forces struck the Samara oil pipeline station in Russia’s Samara region, setting several oil storage tanks on fire, Ukraine’s General Staff said.
- Proposed framework
- A new security framework for Europe raised by the United States
- Donbas proposal
- The United States asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of Donbas it does not control in exchange for NATO membership
- Ukraine’s position
- Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not surrender its territory or commit to neutrality
- Potential security package
- NATO and EU guarantees, military and financial support, and a recovery plan
- Oil facility
- Samara oil pipeline station, near Prosvet in Russia’s Samara region
- Reported strike
- Friday; several oil storage tanks were set on fire, according to Ukraine’s General Staff
4 sources
What people are saying
In my view, this can be dangerous.
This should not be the main agenda.
There can be no security guarantees in Europe, or for Europe, without Ukraine.
If Putin expects Ukraine’s neutrality to be enshrined, that’s not going to happen.