Ukraine Urges Allies to Strengthen Military for Future Security

Kyiv has called on its western allies to expedite the establishment of defence guarantees crucial for any future peace agreement with Moscow. Ukrainian officials believe that fortifying the military will best ensure the country’s long-term security amidst ongoing aggression from Russia. The appeal follows a recent US-Russia summit that did not yield significant progress towards resolving Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has lasted for over three years.

Despite claims from the White House regarding diplomatic successes, the discussions involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and European leaders have not brought Ukraine closer to a resolution. Senior officials from Ukraine and its allies are currently engaged in talks focused on defence guarantees and potential peacekeeping initiatives, even as Russia maintains a hardline stance against western military presence in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, President Zelenskiy met with both senior Ukrainian military personnel and Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom, alongside his successor, Richard Knighton. During these meetings, Zelenskiy emphasized the need for clarity and urgency in developing security guarantees, stating, “We must intensify our work to the maximum and ensure clarity and transparency in everything related to security guarantees.” He insisted that the pace of these discussions needed to accelerate, particularly regarding the defence aspects of the guarantees.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated in a conference call with his counterparts from the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and Finland. He reiterated that security guarantees must be “concrete, legally binding, and effective.” Sybiha underscored the importance of strengthening the Ukrainian military as the foundation of any such guarantees, stating, “Its maximum strengthening is our top priority.”

Ukraine’s strategy to bolster its military arises from a growing skepticism regarding the readiness of western nations to confront Russia. Historical assurances were provided by the US and the UK when Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in 1994. However, these assurances failed to prevent Russia’s aggression over the past decade. Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Zelenskiy, stated, “The question is not what security guarantees Ukraine will receive. Ukraine itself is now the guarantor of the stability of the European security architecture.” He described Ukraine as being “tempered by fire” and serving as a “main barrier” to Russian aggression in Europe.

Zelenskiy has expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing the Kremlin of stalling while its military makes gradual gains on the battlefield. Reports from Tuesday indicated that Ukraine’s military denied claims of Russian forces capturing two villages in the Dnipropetrovsk region, although fighting continues in the area. Russian troops have gained control of approximately 70 percent of Donetsk since 2014 and have recently advanced into Dnipropetrovsk.

In a tragic incident, Russian shelling of a coal mine in Donetsk resulted in the death of one miner and injuries to three others, prompting the evacuation of 146 individuals from underground. Additionally, an aide to Polish President Karol Nawrocki denied suggestions that efforts to limit benefits for Ukrainian refugees would impact the Ukrainian military’s access to Starlink satellite internet services, which are partially funded by Warsaw.

As Ukraine navigates this complex geopolitical landscape, the urgency of establishing robust defence mechanisms remains paramount. The ongoing dialogue with allies underscores a collective commitment to addressing security vulnerabilities and strengthening the Ukrainian military’s capabilities in the face of persistent threats.