Zelensky about security guarantees for Ukraine: NATO Article 5-like, but with caveats

Zelensky made the statement during a briefing with journalists, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Point 5 of the document [referring to the draft peace agreement – ed.] states that the United States, NATO, and European signatory states will provide Ukraine with ‘Article 5-like’ guarantees,” Zelensky said.

At the same time, he noted that the subclauses of this point stipulate that if Russia invades Ukraine, all global sanctions against Russia would be reinstated in addition to a coordinated military response. However, if Ukraine were to invade Russia or open fire on Russian territory without provocation, the security guarantees would be considered void. If Russia opens fire on Ukraine, the security guarantees would come into force.

Zelensky also stressed that bilateral security guarantees would remain part of Ukraine’s security architecture.

“Bilateral security guarantees are not excluded by this agreement. We are talking about the potential of our bilateral agreements with 30 countries, and we want these opportunities to remain in place. These are countries of the Coalition of the Willing, 30 countries including European states, as well as Canada and Japan, which are prepared, in one form or another, to participate in guaranteeing our security,” the President said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, Zelensky has disclosed details of the 20-point draft framework document on ending the war between Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe.

In addition to this draft, Zelensky said that other documents necessary to end the war had also been prepared. These include a multilateral framework for security guarantees for Ukraine – a trilateral document involving Ukraine, the United States, and Europe – as well as a bilateral security guarantees framework between Ukraine and the United States.

Additionally, Ukraine and the United States have developed a document on recovery and economic development titled “The Roadmap to Ukraine’s Prosperity”.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine