With President-elect Donald J. Trump pushing for a quicker resolution to the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian officials assert that securing guarantees against future aggression is paramount to any peace terms.
Trump Stresses Peace, Ukraine Demands Security Guarantees
Trump Stresses Peace, Ukraine Demands Security Guarantees
As peace negotiations loom, Ukraine emphasizes the need for security assurances over territorial boundaries.
Ukrainian officials have expressed their steadfast commitment to not cede any territory currently occupied by Russia, regardless of pressure for peace discussions. With the potential for accelerated negotiations under President-elect Donald J. Trump, Kyiv is pivoting its focus towards securing vital security guarantees that would underpin any semblance of a truce.
In light of recent territorial losses in eastern Ukraine, two senior government figures reinforced that the essence of the upcoming talks lies in establishing rock-solid assurances rather than fixating solely on the delineation of borders, which remain susceptible to the ebb and flow of conflict.
“Talks should center around guarantees,” asserted Roman Kostenko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Defense and Intelligence Committee, emphasizing that security remains the utmost priority. A senior official, maintaining anonymity, reinforced this sentiment by explaining that while territorial integrity is critical, the foundational concern revolves around security guarantees.
Ukraine has a historical framework for its borders stemming from its declaration of independence in 1991. Currently, Russia claims dominion over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. However, Ukraine remains resolute in retaining legal claims over all occupied lands, as Kostenko articulated.
This strategy appears to set the stage for a potential agreement where some Russian-held territories might stay under its control. In comments made in October, President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed that “no matter the course we pursue, no one globally will recognize the territories under occupation as the property of other nations.”
In light of recent territorial losses in eastern Ukraine, two senior government figures reinforced that the essence of the upcoming talks lies in establishing rock-solid assurances rather than fixating solely on the delineation of borders, which remain susceptible to the ebb and flow of conflict.
“Talks should center around guarantees,” asserted Roman Kostenko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Defense and Intelligence Committee, emphasizing that security remains the utmost priority. A senior official, maintaining anonymity, reinforced this sentiment by explaining that while territorial integrity is critical, the foundational concern revolves around security guarantees.
Ukraine has a historical framework for its borders stemming from its declaration of independence in 1991. Currently, Russia claims dominion over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. However, Ukraine remains resolute in retaining legal claims over all occupied lands, as Kostenko articulated.
This strategy appears to set the stage for a potential agreement where some Russian-held territories might stay under its control. In comments made in October, President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed that “no matter the course we pursue, no one globally will recognize the territories under occupation as the property of other nations.”
