Zelensky Firmly Rejects Any Disgraceful Peace Agreement for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Ukraine will not accept a bad peace deal to end the ongoing war with Russia. In a recent interview with The Atlantic published on February 12, Zelensky emphasized that he would rather have no agreement than pressure Ukrainians into a settlement that compromises their dignity and security.
Insisting on Dignified and Lasting Peace Terms
Zelensky stated that any potential peace settlement must ensure a dignified and lasting peace, along with clear security guarantees to prevent Russia from launching future attacks. He clarified that Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace and has demonstrated good faith in negotiations by supporting U.S. proposals aimed at advancing talks.
"The tactic we chose is for the Americans not to think that we want to continue the war," Zelensky explained. "That's why we started supporting their proposals in any format that speeds things along." However, he made it clear that he will not accept any deal he views as disgraceful or demeaning to Ukraine.
Core Demand: Security Guarantees from US and Europe
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine's core demand remains unchanged: security guarantees from the United States and Europe that would take effect once a ceasefire is established. He warned that without such guarantees, a ceasefire would merely allow Russia to regroup and attack again.
He acknowledged that progress on these guarantees has been slow, with basic questions still unanswered. Zelensky noted that U.S. responses so far have been too vague for acceptance, stressing, "We need all of this to be written out."
Addressing Battlefield Situation and Election Readiness
When asked to assess the battlefield situation, Zelensky insisted that "Ukraine is not losing," and emphasized that Ukraine's willingness to engage in peace talks should not be mistaken for a readiness to accept any agreement, especially a bad one.
The president also addressed the issue of elections, stating, "No one is clinging to power. I am ready for elections. But for that we need security, guarantees of security, a cease-fire." A source in the President's Office, speaking to the Kyiv Independent, recently dispelled rumors that Zelensky planned to announce presidential elections or a referendum on a possible peace deal with Russia on February 24, the four-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
"He wasn't planning to," the source said when asked whether the president would make such an announcement. "When there's no security, there's nothing else."
Stalled Talks and Russian Unwillingness
Zelensky's remarks come as talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have appeared to stall in recent days amid uncertainty over whether Russia will participate. He asserted, "We've never been against ending the war. It's the Russians who have shown they are not ready for a dialogue." This statement underscores the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution while maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and security interests.
