Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky reached the White House once again this week, but this time he was accompanied by European leader and there have been some positive indications about the peace agreement to end the war against Russia after his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The presence of European leaders is believed to have a significant impact on the meeting. The meeting was held at a time when US President Donald Trump recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. European leaders suspect that Trump may take America in favor of Russia’s demands.
In the last few months, Trump’s statements have been influenced by Russian publicity and have been balanced only when the surrounding political powers intervened. This performance of European unity was very important in this context.
Security guarantee for Ukraine became priority
In this meeting, there was remarkable progress on the issues related to security guarantee for Ukraine. It is important that the US will now be part of these security guarantees. Till some time ago Trump was putting this responsibility completely on Europe, so this change is considered a positive sign.
Jailonsky said in a statement to Ukrainian journalists outside the White House that it would take time to prepare a detailed action plan for future arrangements, as it will include many countries which have different assistance capabilities. If some countries provide financial assistance, some can provide military support. He also clarified that the fulfillment and cooperation of Ukraine’s military needs would be part of any future security system, including dimensions such as strategic partnership, production, and procurement of military equipment.
During a news conference in Brussels, Jailonsky said that it is a priority to strengthen Ukraine’s military ability to deal with Russia’s future attacks. According to reports, the proposed security guarantee may include the purchase of military equipment worth about 90 billion US dollars through European colleagues.
Jailonsky also suggested that the US could buy drones manufactured in Ukraine in the future. Discussion on security provisions like NATO
NATO general secretary Mark Roote indicated that the possibility of mass defense guarantee of NATO like Article 5 was also discussed in the talks. However, it is notable that Article 5 does not guarantee complete military intervention, but gives freedom to support or not to support the member countries. This is not considered enough for Ukraine.
Under the Budapest Agreement in 1994, the US, Britain and Russia guaranteed Ukraine’s regional integrity, but Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 without serious punishment and started a full -scale war in 2022. In this background, Ukraine now wants a strict and effective security guarantee.
Ukrainian region loss and trump-Putin Equation
Before the recent meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, it was believed that Russia was not interested in any agreement. But now it appears that after Trump supports Russia’s maximum demands, Putin feels that he can get support in the White House.
In such a situation, the apprehension has increased that Russia may move towards achieving Donbas region – Donnetsk and Luhansk.
Jailonsky has clarified that it will not give formal or legal recognition to Russian -occupied areas under any peace agreement. It will be necessary to amend the constitution of Ukraine and make a referendum, which is not only complex but also against public sentiments.
The areas that Russia – Donnetsk, Luhansk, Khersone and Zaporizia – have been partially occupied, are strategically important and there are military structures of Ukraine. Leaving these areas will make Ukraine unsafe for future attacks. Although some experts believe that even if Gelnsky agrees on a temporary ‘ceasefire’, he cannot leave the areas that are still under Ukraine’s control.
Decreat on American support
In the recent Gallup survey, 69 percent of the Ukrainians supported the early resolution of the war, indicating that the US was not considered a reliable partner during Trump administration. If Russia gets any benefit in exchange for war, it can become a dangerous example not only for Ukraine, but also Europe and the whole world. In the recent talks in Istanbul, the Russian delegation allegedly said, “Russia is ready to fight the war forever.” Despite the meetings of Trump and Putin, no change has been seen in this mentality.