No Ceasefire Without U.S, NATO Security Guarantees — Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that a ceasefire deal with Russia will only happen if the U.S. or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) provides security guarantees to Ukraine.
Speaking during a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelenskyy confirmed that a preliminary economic deal with the U.S. is ready but stated that no security guarantees were given.
According to Zelenskyy, the “framework” includes a jointly managed investment fund where 50 per cent of Ukraine’s natural resource revenues would be contributed.
He stressed that securing military aid and security guarantees remains his priority in upcoming talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I wanted to have a sentence on security guarantees for Ukraine, and it’s important that it’s there. This (economic) agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision—what awaits Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
Trump has insisted that Ukraine should offer something in return for the military aid provided to them. Zelenskyy rejected the idea of full repayment, stating that Ukraine can contribute some of its minerals.
The Ukrainian President, who visits the White House on Friday, said he hopes to get a direct confirmation from the US on their support.
He emphasised that the success of the ceasefire rests on the guarantees.
“I want to find a Nato path or something similar. If we don’t get security guarantees, we won’t have a ceasefire; nothing will work, nothing.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine and the US have reached a preliminary agreement on a broad economic deal that will allow the U.S. to access Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
According to him, the preliminary agreement sets out the terms and conditions of an investment fund for the rebuilding of Ukraine.
However, Shmyhal stated that the deal will not be signed without security guarantees for Ukraine.
“Neither Ukraine’s President nor the Ukrainian government will be considering and signing the deal without security guarantees for Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.
No Ceasefire Without U.S, NATO Security Guarantees — Ukraine is first published on The Whistler Newspaper