In striking remarks reflecting the depth of the geopolitical crisis facing the Old Continent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that his country urgently needs strong and tangible security guarantees from the United States, emphasizing that the support provided by major European powers such as France and the United Kingdom, while important, is not enough on its own to secure any possible future peace agreement with Russia.
A clear message from the Davos Forum
The Ukrainian president's remarks came during his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he highlighted the complexities of the security landscape. Zelensky stated unequivocally, "The United Kingdom and France are ready to send troops on the ground, but we need a guarantee from President Trump," explicitly indicating the necessity of a commitment from the current or future US leadership to ensure the sustainability of any political solution. He added emphatically, "I repeat, security guarantees are ineffective without the United States.".
The importance of the American role in the security equation
These statements come at a highly sensitive time, as Kyiv recognizes that the United States is the backbone of NATO and the primary guarantor of global security. While European countries have provided unprecedented military and economic support to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, Washington's military, logistical, and nuclear deterrent capabilities remain the decisive factor in the balance of power with Moscow. Analysts believe that Zelensky understands that any agreement not signed by Washington would be fragile and prone to collapse, given the immense political and military influence wielded by the United States.
Historical background: The ghost of the Budapest Memorandum
To understand Zelensky's insistence on US guarantees, one must return to the historical context, specifically the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. At that time, Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal (then the third largest in the world) in exchange for security guarantees from the United States, Britain, and Russia regarding respect for its sovereignty and borders. However, Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, followed by a full-scale invasion in 2022, demonstrated to Kyiv that mere paper guarantees without genuine enforcement mechanisms and the support of the world's leading superpower do not protect states from aggression. Therefore, the Ukrainian leadership today seeks to avoid repeating past mistakes by demanding binding guarantees.
Regional and international impact
Zelensky's remarks carry broad implications that extend beyond Ukraine's borders. He is placing the onus on the US administration and Congress, indicating that the stability of Europe as a whole depends on continued American engagement. He is also sending a message to European leaders about the necessity of fully coordinating their efforts with Washington to ensure a united front. The absence of American guarantees could embolden Russia to proceed with its military operations, threatening to expand the conflict to other countries in Eastern Europe. This makes the Ukrainian demand a cornerstone of both European and international national security.
