Nauseda on peace deal for Ukraine: It must not be another Budapest Memorandum

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, speaking at a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, emphasized the key principles required for an acceptable peace agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, he wrote about this on X.

Nauseda noted that this is the moment to stand firmly behind Ukraine and strengthen its negotiating position — for Ukraine's security and for Europe's.

"A ceasefire must come first," he wrote.

"Any peace plan must include strong, legally binding security guarantees — not another Budapest memorandum. No concessions on Ukraine’s territory, sovereignty or international law," the post reads.

"Long-term military and financial support, stronger sanctions, and clear progress toward Ukraine's EU membership are essential," Nauseda said.

He noted that Europe must act with unity as key decisions on the future security of the continent are being shaped.

The Budapest Memorandum was signed on December 5, 1994, by Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States after Ukraine agreed to give up the nuclear weapons it inherited from the USSR. Under the memorandum, the guarantors pledged to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from the use of force against it, and avoid economic or military pressure.

The memorandum did not contain concrete enforcement or protection mechanisms, so after Russia's annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its effectiveness proved questionable, and the document itself became a symbol of empty international security assurances.

Photo: V.Raupelio/LRT.lt