Answering questions from the media, the Ukrainian president spoke about the latest developments in the war with
The Ukrainian president referred to the discussions he had with him and pointed out that “we share a common vision: credible guarantees are necessary for a peace that can really be achieved.”
He then emphasized: “It goes without saying that NATO is the best security guarantee for Ukraine. And of course, until Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, this aspect (s.b. means sending European forces to Ukraine) could be considered as an alternative solution. We need to have specific mechanisms. How many details, what will they do if Russia attacks, for example – many, many questions are raised.”
The Russian president has repeatedly said that Russia and Ukraine were on the verge of agreeing to end hostilities at talks in Istanbul in April 2022, but that Ukraine backed down once Russian troops retreated near Kiev.
The deal reportedly included clauses requiring Ukraine to adopt a geopolitically neutral regime and not join NATO, limit the size of its armed forces and grant special status to eastern Ukraine – all of which Zelensky has made clear that opposes.
“Putin lives in a different world”
Speaking about the talks in Istanbul, Zelensky said:
“Ukraine did not agree to Russia’s ultimatum. They tried to have follow-up steps to soften their positions on this ultimatum. And remember, these were the meetings in Belarus and Turkey. You remember all these, and all these meetings were the so-called Istanbul agreements. Ukraine has not signed anything – and these agreements do not exist. We had just responded to the Russian side’s ultimatum and that’s it.
They wanted to annihilate our army so that the army does not exist (only 40-50,000). So he simply suggested that Ukraine resign, freeze the conflict, change the direction of its future. To say no to NATO, no to Europe, but to head towards Russia to take our independence, to deprive us of the future. And this person is now telling us that these are deals. He (Putin) is an old fantasist. He lives in a different world. I’m afraid he lives in his own aquarium.”
“It will be difficult without the help of the US”
Coming to the European Council in Brussels, the Ukrainian President said that “we need unity between the EU and the US to achieve peace in Ukraine”.
“Unity between the EU, its member states and the US is very important to achieve peace. All together, USA and Europe, can stop Putin and save Ukraine,” Zelensky said and added: “It’s hard to support Ukraine without America’s help.” This, he said, he will discuss with President Trump when he takes office.
