Zelenskyy: Revising Europe's Security Architecture Would Be Dangerous

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told journalists that Russia wants to change the security framework in Europe, and he warned that this is dangerous. According to him, US representatives brought up the changes Russia is seeking during recent negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. The remarks were reported by European Pravda, citing the Ukrinform news agency.

Zelenskyy said the matter should not become the main item on the agenda and that Ukraine should not initiate it. In his view, the Americans steered the Russians toward this topic because it is exactly what Moscow wants: at the very least, a revision of Europe's security framework.

Putin's remarks on borders

The president said Vladimir Putin's recent statements about borders confirm his concerns. Zelenskyy stated that Putin wants to change borders in Europe, and that this is part of his vision for revising security guarantees. The Ukrainian leader believes such steps lead to wars or escalation. He contacted the Nordic countries and other European partners, urging them to take the matter very seriously, and says all of them are doing so.

Zelenskyy said Putin presented this idea to then-US President Joe Biden in 2021. It envisaged a redistribution of forces in Europe and around the world, a reduction or withdrawal of NATO troops, and the withdrawal of US troops.

The president gave two reasons why this is dangerous. First, Russia cannot make decisions for the people of every NATO member state. Second, it is unclear why Russia wants to remove forces that are there to provide protection. He expects Putin to bring up Finland and Sweden, and to raise the issue of Hungary and the US presence in the Baltic states.

Background

The New York Times previously reported that during talks in Abu Dhabi on ending the war, Russia again demanded that NATO pull its troops back to the positions the alliance held in 1997. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, Chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, said further negotiations with Russia are pointless because the Kremlin's demands for troop withdrawals in NATO countries show that Putin has no intention of negotiating peace.