Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv needs security guarantees from NATO and more weapons to defend itself against any potential talks with Russia.
The Ukrainian president made the comments after a meeting with the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and European Council President Antonio Costa in Kyiv on December 1, according to The Telegraph .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Kyiv on December 1, 2024.
At the meeting, Mr. Zelensky made it clear: "The invitation to Ukraine to join NATO is necessary for our survival." Mr. Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine needs to be in a strong position before any negotiations with the Kremlin, calling for "joining NATO" and "a large number" of long-range weapons for self-defense.
“If we freeze the conflict without taking a strong stance for Ukraine, Putin will come back in two, three or five years,” the Ukrainian leader said, adding that the EU and NATO should be involved in any potential future talks.
For his part, Mr Costa said the EU would provide Ukraine with unwavering support. Meanwhile, Ms Kallas stressed that the EU “should not rule anything out” when it comes to sending European troops to help enforce any potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier, the Ukrainian president also said on November 29 that Ukraine may have to give up some territories controlled by Russia in exchange for joining NATO and ending the conflict. Mr. Zelensky emphasized that the controlled lands could be taken back diplomatically. This is also the first time Mr. Zelensky mentioned the ceasefire scenario that allows Russia to control Ukrainian territory.
Destroyed buildings in the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on November 25, 2024.
Ukraine is facing a harsh winter as Russia launches a series of attacks on Kyiv’s power grid and its exhausted frontline forces, and questions are growing about the future of Washington’s aid packages and commitments after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025. The series of developments could force Ukraine to make concessions in pursuit of a quick peace deal, The Telegraph reported.
Commenting on the above developments, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated on December 1: "What is important, in my view, is that Ukraine decides its own destiny and fate, without being imposed by outside forces, including the United States."
Russian officials have yet to comment on Zelensky’s statements regarding peace conditions in Ukraine. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that NATO’s eastward expansion is one of the causes of the conflict in Ukraine. Regarding peace conditions in Ukraine, Putin has also made it clear that Ukraine must remain neutral and abandon plans to join NATO.
Sharing on Sputnik, military expert Andrey Marochko warned that Ukraine's recent propaganda of pessimistic words about the war in the media could be a "cover" for a surprise attack on Russia, so Moscow needs to be prepared for all scenarios.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-zelensky-neu-2-dieu-kien-de-co-the-dam-phan-voi-ong-putin-18524120211565515.htm
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