Zelensky: There will be no peace with Russia without US security guarantees
In decisive statements reflecting the reality of the current geopolitical balances, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country urgently needs solid security guarantees from the United States, emphasizing that the support provided by major European powers such as France and the United Kingdom, while important, is not enough on its own to secure any possible future peace agreement with Russia.
The pivotal role of the United States in the global security equation
In his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky stated, "The United Kingdom and France have expressed their readiness to send troops on the ground or provide direct military support, but we absolutely need a guarantee from the United States, specifically a guarantee from President Trump, should he return, or from any future US administration." He further clarified Kyiv's strategic position, adding, "I reiterate, security guarantees are ineffective and cannot be relied upon to sustain peace without the involvement of the United States.".
Background to the Ukrainian situation: Lessons from history
Zelensky's statements are rooted in a painful historical context for Ukraine regarding international guarantees. In 1994, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum, relinquishing its nuclear arsenal (then the third largest in the world) in exchange for security guarantees from the United States, Britain, and Russia to respect its sovereignty and borders. The Russian invasion of 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion of 2022 demonstrated the fragility of those pledges, which fell far short of a comprehensive mutual defense treaty. This has led Kyiv to insist on binding guarantees, not merely diplomatic promises.
The importance of Washington's military and political weight
Strategic analysts believe that Zelensky's insistence on a US role stems from the realities of power on the ground. The United States is the backbone of NATO and possesses logistical, nuclear, and intelligence capabilities that no single European country can match. The Ukrainian leadership understands that any ceasefire agreement or end to the war with Moscow will not last long without Washington as a key guarantor, given that US military aid constitutes the bulk of Western support for Kyiv.
The impact of international political tensions
These statements also indicate Kyiv's concern about internal political changes in Western countries, particularly with the approach of elections in the United States. Ukraine seeks to establish a long-term institutional security framework that protects it from political instability, ensures the continued flow of military and economic support for reconstruction, and deters any future aggression. This makes the "American seal" on any security agreement an indispensable condition for guaranteeing the stability of the entire European continent.
