Security guarantees for Ukraine must not repeat fate of Budapest Memorandum – Pistorius

He made the remarks at the Munich Security Conference, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"When it comes to the future of Ukraine, three points are crucial in my view. First, we will keep looking for paths to a reliable peace because Ukraine's future is fundamental not just to European security, but to global security. We need a peace deal that safeguards both Ukraine's and our European interests," Pistorius said.

He stressed that the second key aspect is the need to increase pressure on Russia, which shows no willingness to compromise.

"The ball is in Putin's court. He is the one who is dragging out negotiations and is showing no willingness to compromise. He is shifting the cost of war to his own people. But he must not be mistaken. We will continue doing everything in our power to protect Ukraine as an independent, sovereign European nation. We will keep up the pressure politically, economically, and militarily," Pistorius said.

The third aspect, he stressed, is providing Ukraine with reliable security guarantees:

"Third, we will have peace. And when, not if, this day comes, we will have to make this peace last, we will have to shield Ukraine from any potential future aggression by Russia. To accomplish this huge task, Ukraine needs substantial, reliable security guarantees," he said.

Pistorius recalled that as early as 2014, then-Senator Marco Rubio (now U.S. Secretary of State) noted that the 1994 Budapest Memorandum did ultimately not serve the purpose of providing for Ukraine's security. "Quite the opposite, 20 years later, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea," he said.

"Therefore, our lesson for today, must be: we cannot afford another paper tiger like the Budapest Memorandum. To provide credible and reliable security guarantees, all of us – European and Americans – have to deliver," Pistorius said.

He also stressed the critical role of a strong and capable NATO in the face of multiple interconnected threats. He concluded that Germany remains the largest donor of aid to Ukraine, and this support will not waver even in the fifth year of the war.

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