Zelenskyy on security guarantee requirements: UK and French military presence is mandatory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that security guarantees must include the physical presence in Ukraine of military forces from at least France and the United Kingdom. At the same time, Ukraine is also counting on other countries, subject to approval by their parliaments.

Source: Zelenskyy at a briefing in Kyiv after a meeting with advisers to Western leaders, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that as yet there is no final version of the security guarantees agreement that is to be part of the peace package, and therefore important details have not yet been agreed, including those concerning the military presence of partner states in Ukraine. However, he considers this element mandatory.

"Undoubtedly, the [military] presence is important to us. And undoubtedly, not everyone is ready for this… But the presence is one of the important factors, and even the existence of the Coalition of the Willing depends on whether they are ready to step up their presence," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy emphasised that the final number of countries that will send troops to Ukraine will become clear only after the ratification process begins.

"There is a parliamentary dimension, because even if a leader is ready to make certain decisions, ready to help Ukraine, even if the military is ready to be present in Ukraine, parliamentary backing is still required under the constitutions of many European countries," he said.

"We cannot be responsible for the parliaments of other countries," he stressed.

Zelenskyy noted that some of Ukraine's partner states who are members of the coalition may refrain from sending troops to Ukraine, but there are minimum requirements.

"The UK and France are the chairs [of the Coalition of the Willing]. Their military presence is mandatory," Zelenskyy emphasised.

Background:

• It was previously reported that Zelenskyy had summed up the initial outcome of the work with national security advisers.
• German politicians are in favour of the Bundeswehr's participation in a potential mission in Ukraine.
• At the end of December, Zelenskyy spoke about discussions with the United States regarding the deployment of troops as a security guarantee.

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