Zelensky: Ukraine counts on allied security guarantees

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a briefing when asked about his confidence in the readiness of European countries to provide more military support to Ukraine and the willingness of the U.S. to offer security guarantees, Ukrinform reports.

"First and foremost, everyone expects that the positive outcome achieved at the latest meeting between Ukraine and the U.S. will continue. This will lead to a meeting of allies: Ukraine, America, and Europe. Everyone expects that the security guarantees will be allied — guarantees for Ukraine from Europe, the U.S., and others willing to help us," Zelensky said.

According to the President, Ukraine's European partners are also holding parallel consultations with the U.S. administration, discussing the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent.

"Everyone expects that there may be one format or another of a contingent. Some are skeptical and believe that NATO or the Fifth Amendment is stronger. Here, we understand that the decision on NATO should depend on the allies, not on Russia's wishes, and certainly not on Russia's 'veto' on NATO. They have no legal authority here. We should not give them the chance to have such an opportunity," Zelensky emphasized.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on March 11, a meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The parties issued a joint statement following the meeting.

Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept the U.S. proposal for the immediate introduction of a 30-day temporary ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement, provided that the Russian Federation accepts and simultaneously complies with the terms.