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"When meeting Vance, Zeleskii says Ukraine needs ‘real security guarantees’
Kyiv, Ukraine – As Ukraine seeks to strengthen its alliance with the United States and other Western countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleksii emphasized the need for "real security guarantees" during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, Kurt Volker.
Zeleksii met with Volker in Kyiv last week to discuss the ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the country’s eastern regions and the national security priorities of Ukraine. During the meeting, Zeleksii reiterated Ukraine’s insistence that it requires tangible guarantees of its security from international partners, including the United States.
"People must understand that there are no immature puppetry or political manipulation here," Zeleksii said. "We need real security guarantees, we need concrete actions, not just words. We need to know that our allies are ready to defend us, to protect us, to help us, not just to talk about it."
The Ukrainian president’s comments come as Ukraine continues to face ongoing threats from Russian aggression in the country’s eastern regions, where separatist fighting has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more. The conflict has also strained Ukraine’s relationship with Russia, which claims the rebels are fighting to defend Russian-speaking ethnic minorities in Ukraine.
Zeleksi’s comments also come amid reports of increased Russian military activity along Ukraine’s eastern border. In recent weeks, Russia has deployed additional troops to the region, sparking growing concerns about the potential for further escalation.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains committed to its goals of European integration and NATO membership. "We are convinced that we need to be part of the European and international community," Zeleksii said. "And we are convinced that our partners will support us, will back us, will help us, will help us to overcome these challenges."
Volker, for his part, emphasized the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The United States is fully committed to supporting Ukraine and we will continue to work with Ukrainian leaders, international partners to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Ukraine and the region."
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also raised concerns about the impact on global security, with many Western nations viewing the conflict as a test of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions and a potential precursor to further destabilization in other regions.
For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher. As Zeleksii said, "We don’t have another chance, we can’t afford to lose. We have only one chance, and we need to use it to win." And in order to achieve that, the Ukrainian president believes that "real security guarantees" from international partners are essential."
