Security guarantees without US not ‘sufficient’ for Ukraine, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy

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Security guarantees solely from European countries, without US involvement, will not be “sufficient” to ensure the long-term protection of Ukraine from any further Russian aggression, the Ukrainian president has warned.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on Thursday after meeting EU and Nato leaders in Brussels to discuss future support for Kyiv in light of Donald Trump’s impending return as US president, and his vows to stop military aid to Ukraine and force immediate peace negotiations with Russia.

“I believe that only European guarantees won’t be sufficient for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told reporters following the meetings. “It is impossible to discuss only with the Europeans, because the only guarantee, currently or in the future, is Nato [membership].”

Zelenskyy has been pushing leaders to extend a formal invitation to Ukraine to join Nato, but the US and Germany have been deeply reluctant while Hungary is against.

“It is very important for us to have both on board, the United States and the Europeans . . . a common decision,” he added. “There should be a very comprehensive position . . . we must be assured of the security guarantees that will protect us tomorrow.”

Zelenskyy said he would not publicly disclose any details of discussions with western countries regarding possible security guarantees.

He spoke after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening, followed by a late-night gathering of senior European leaders hosted by Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, and a summit of all the EU’s 27 leaders on Thursday morning.

Officials briefed on the talks said some leaders used the discussions to make long-term proposals of support to Ukraine, but that there was a divergence of opinions on what Europe could continue to provide without US backing.

Binding security guarantees from European capitals that would potentially involve them in a war with Russia if Ukraine was attacked again are unfeasible without a guarantee that the US would support those European armies, the officials added.

Macron has floated the idea of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a possible peace deal, but many other EU capitals are deeply sceptical of this idea and it is unclear whether such a peacekeeping force would be in addition to, or a substitute for, security guarantees.

Zelenskyy said he was keen to have further discussions about the war with Trump, in order to explain to him some key aspects of the conflict.

“He was not in this war because he was not the president, it is understandable. I want to share with him more details,” Zelenskyy said. “I count on having the time to speak, to think, to listen and to hear his view and show our view . . . I hope that he will understand me.”