Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the necessity of security guarantees for Ukraine as a prerequisite for any cease-fire agreement with Russia. In a recent interview with US podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the feasibility of a cease-fire without clear assurances regarding Ukraine’s security, particularly in areas currently under Ukrainian control. He stressed the importance of these guarantees to prevent future hostilities from Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy articulated his hopes for the incoming US President Donald Trump to leverage his understanding of the situation to strengthen Ukraine. Zelenskyy reflected on Trump’s previous term, highlighting the potential challenges Trump could face without solid security guarantees. The Ukrainian leader warned that a cease-fire without such assurances could lead to renewed conflict, undermining both Trump’s and Ukraine’s positions. Zelenskyy further argued that Trump could
inadvertently empower Putin if a cease-fire is achieved without securing Ukraine’s safety, although he remains hopeful that Trump does not intend for such an outcome. Trump, who is set to resume the US presidency on January 20, has repeatedly claimed he could swiftly resolve the Ukraine conflict. Zelenskyy outlined the necessity of a robust Ukraine before reaching a cease-fire agreement. He identified NATO membership as a critical component of Ukraine’s security framework. Additionally, he pointed to new arms packages as another essential element, contingent largely on US support. Zelenskyy called for unity in providing these security measures, involving both the European Union and the United States. The Ukrainian president also recounted a conversation with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the early days of the conflict, which began on February 24, 2022. Zelenskyy claimed that Lukashenko apologized for missile attacks on Ukraine, attributing them to Russian orders. However, Natalia Eismont, Luk
ashenko’s press secretary, has denied these assertions, stating that Belarus has no reason to apologize, citing Ukraine’s early sanctions against Belarus as a counterpoint.