Zelenskyy Warns US Talk of New European Security Framework Could Be "Dangerous"
At a Glance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US has raised a new security framework for Europe.
He warned Moscow could use it to weaken NATO and reshape borders.
He said Ukraine will not surrender territory or accept neutrality.
Zelenskyy said the United States has floated the idea of a new European security framework as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine, cautioning that Russia could exploit such talks to undermine NATO.
Key Statements and Focus Area
Zelenskyy on the Risk: "Putin's desire to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure this is part of his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe. This is dangerous because, in my view, it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or escalations." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy on the Sequence: "The sequence should be as follows: a ceasefire, an end to the war in Ukraine, and security guarantees for Ukraine." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Focus Area: Zelenskyy's concerns over the US-backed push for a broader European security deal and the state of the Abu Dhabi negotiations.
Zelenskyy said that for the first time, Washington asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of Donbas not under Russian control if Kyiv were admitted to NATO.
He reiterated that Ukraine will not surrender territory or recognize occupied land as Russian and rejected enshrining neutrality, which would require changing the constitution.
Ukraine is discussing a package with partners that could include NATO and EU guarantees, a strong military, financial support, and a recovery plan.
If the US and NATO partners confirm it, he said, he would ask Ukrainians whether to accept it.
He warned Putin could raise Finland, Sweden, Hungary and the presence of US troops in the Baltic states, stressing that any changes must be decided by European NATO members only after the war ends.
On the Abu Dhabi talks, he said Ukraine's priorities were an energy ceasefire, reopening the Black Sea, prisoner releases, and preparing a leaders' meeting.
Russian negotiators said they lacked a mandate on the energy ceasefire and appeared unwilling.
Talks in Moscow with US negotiators produced agreement on a prisoner exchange of more than 1,000 people on each side, likely 1,200 to 1,300.
He said Washington backs direct European participation, expecting three to five European representatives in future talks, with Britain, France, Germany, and Italy already present in Abu Dhabi.
Zelenskyy also accused SpaceX of imposing restrictions on its Starshield system in occupied territory, capping speed at 161 kph for five days.
He said this prevents Ukrainian forces from intercepting Russian Shahed drones until they leave the affected areas and that it contradicts earlier assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the system was more under US government control.
FYI
Zelenskyy said Putin raised similar ideas of redistributing power in Europe with then-President Joe Biden in 2021.
European leaders have stressed that decisions about the continent's security must be made by Europeans themselves and warned against letting Russia dictate a new security order or negotiate NATO's future. The war is in its fifth year.
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