Zelenskyy Demands Security Guarantees After Meeting With Trump Goes Sideways – wna24

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed Ukraine’s gratitude for U.S. support, despite tensions following a difficult meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement released today, Zelenskyy emphasized the critical role American aid has played in Ukraine’s survival during its three-year war with Russia.

“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and [the] American people,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion.”

Despite what he described as a “tough dialogue” with Trump, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations. He noted that while Trump has expressed a desire to end the war, Ukraine remains on the front lines of the conflict and must ensure any resolution includes lasting security guarantees.

Referencing former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Zelenskyy argued that “peace is not just the absence of war” but must include “freedom, justice, and human rights.” He warned that a ceasefire without security guarantees would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has violated previous agreements multiple times.

“A ceasefire won’t work with Putin. He has broken ceasefires 25 times over the last ten years. A real peace is the only solution,” he stated.

Zelenskyy also underscored the urgency of securing U.S. and European backing for long-term stability. He revealed that Ukraine is ready to sign an agreement on mineral resources as a step toward gaining stronger security commitments.

“We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees. But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for 3 years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side. I cannot change Ukraine’s position on Russia. The Russians are killing us. Russia is the enemy, and that’s the reality we face. Ukraine wants peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace. For that, we need to be strong at the negotiation table. Peace can only come when we know we have security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our partners are with us,” he said. 

While acknowledging that Ukraine may not be admitted to NATO in the near future, Zelenskyy stressed the need for a structured security framework to prevent further Russian aggression. He also stated that Ukraine is open to diplomacy but must negotiate from a position of strength.

“We want peace. That’s why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow. It will be difficult without the U.S. support. But we can’t lose our will, our freedom, or our people. We’ve seen how Russians came to our homes and killed many people. Nobody wants another wave of occupation. If we cannot be accepted to NATO, we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the US,” he added. 

“Europe is ready for contingencies and to help fund our large army. We also need the U.S. role in defining security guarantees—what kind, what volume, and when. Once these guarantees are in place, we can talk with Russia, Europe, and the U.S. about diplomacy. War alone is too long, and we don’t have enough weapons to push them out entirely. When someone talks about losses, every single life matters. Russia invaded our homes, killed our people, and tried to erase us. This isn’t just about territories or numbers—it’s about real lives. That’s what we need everyone to understand,” the Ukrainian President said. 

“I want the U.S. to stand more firmly on our side. This is not just a war between our two countries; Russia brought this war onto our territory and into our homes. They are wrong because they disrespected our territorial integrity. All Ukrainians want to hear a strong U.S. position on our side. It’s understandable the U.S. might look for dialogue with Putin. But the U.S. has always spoken about ‘peace through strength,” Zelenskyy said. 

As Zelenskyy continues his diplomatic efforts, his plane landed in the UK ahead of a major European defense summit set to take place tomorrow. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is convening the meeting, which will focus on European support for Ukraine’s war effort.

Despite tensions with Trump, Zelenskyy remains hopeful about Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. “Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples,” he said. “Together, we can take strong steps against Putin.”

It appears that Zelenskyy is still unable to grasp the Trump administration’s point of view. The Trump administration isn’t looking to antagonize Russia. The new administration wants better ties with Russia, to cleave it away from China.