Ukraine's key security priorities include integration into NATO and the EU, substantial military assistance, and the potential deployment of foreign military contingents on Ukrainian soil, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated in response to questions about his upcoming meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy during a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Details: Zelenskyy, who had been asked about his expectations of the incoming Donald Trump administration, said he hopes that US policy will continue to be aimed at strengthening Ukraine. 

He mentioned that teams are currently working on the content and format of their upcoming meeting, which will take place after the inauguration. While he refrained from providing specific details or a date, he emphasised that the primary goal at this stage is to end the war, having secured strong security guarantees.

Quote:"We want to end the war with a just peace, but for that, we need to be sure that Russia will not return to wage war against Ukraine. We need strong security guarantees," the president said.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine considers EU membership and future NATO membership as key strategic security guarantees. He also stressed the importance of significant arms packages and ongoing support for Ukraine's military, as it cannot afford to reduce its forces with Russia as a neighbour.

He also mentioned that Ukraine supports the deployment of foreign allied military contingents on its territory as a potential security guarantee. However, he emphasised that this deployment cannot be the sole guarantee. Zelenskyy has already discussed this issue with Ukraine’s Baltic partners and intends to raise it with the UK prime minister as well.

Prior to the deployment of foreign military contingents, Zelenskyy suggested, one option could be to send foreign instructors to Ukraine to provide training.

The president also made it clear that Ukraine will not be engaging in any "games" about reducing its military. 

Quote:"Our army is currently the only guarantee of our security. Maintaining a strong army is also part of these agreements," he concluded.

Background:

• Earlier, in an interview with European Pravda, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine considers NATO membership to be the only effective security guarantee for the country. 
• Polls show that the majority of Ukrainians want to see their country in both the European Union and NATO, with membership of the defence alliance being the higher priority.

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