Zelenskyy Demands Security Guarantees, Trump Reluctant

WASHINGTON, MONDAY – United States President Donald Trump emphasized that he would no longer grant leniency to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would bring the Russia–Ukraine war to an end as soon as possible, Monday (3/3/2025). Speaking at the White House, Trump stated that Zelenskyy's remark that the end of the war is still far off is the worst statement Zelenskyy has made.

“The United States will no longer accept his plans,” Trump said in a tweet on social media.

Zelenskyy stated that only large-scale security guarantees from Western allies could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The security guarantees in question involve NATO's military engagement in Ukraine as well as the development and funding of Ukraine's military.

Trump's comments emerged after the President of Ukraine accused Russia of attacking Ukraine in 2014 and launching a major invasion in 2022. He deemed Russia as not being serious about achieving peace.

Zelenskyy stated that only large-scale security guarantees from Western allies could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The security guarantees in question involve NATO's military engagement in Ukraine as well as the development and funding of Ukraine's military.

On the website of the UK Parliament (House of Commons), it is stated that the security guarantees provided by NATO to President Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2023 represent Ukraine's future within NATO. This can be realized if conditions permit and all NATO members agree. Additionally, a package of expanded political and practical support was also provided to bring Ukraine closer to NATO.

In the RBC Ukraine report dated February 28, 2025, the security guarantees requested by Ukraine include NATO membership, military funding for Ukraine with a force of up to 800,000 troops, and the presence of peacekeeping forces from the West.

All those ideas were rejected by President Trump, who emphasized that the U.S.–Ukraine mineral agreement already serves as an adequate security guarantee. The presence of major U.S. mining businesses in Ukraine will ensure there are no attacks from Russia.

In addition, Zelenskyy also asked for guarantees of economic security, including membership of the European Union.

Meanwhile, in July 2023, the G7 countries provided security guarantees for Ukraine outside of NATO membership by assisting in the development of the Ukrainian military, and 24-hour consultations in the event of Russian aggression in the future and providing assistance if deemed necessary.

All those ideas were rejected by President Trump, who emphasized that the U.S.–Ukraine mineral agreement already serves as an adequate security guarantee. The presence of major U.S. mining businesses in Ukraine will ensure there are no attacks from Russia.

On the Al Jazeera page March 3, 2025, it was recorded that until July 2024, there were 65,000 US soldiers stationed in NATO member countries in Europe. While all NATO members have 2 million active soldiers.

President Trump warned Zelenskyy not to mess around by obstructing the ceasefire with Russia in the near future. He hopes Zelenskyy will be more aware of appreciating the billions of dollars in military aid the US has provided so far in the war against Russia.

Trump believes mineral deal with Ukraine is possible while denying he has cut off military aid to Ukraine.

"It looks like someone is not willing to make a deal. If that person keeps going like that, he's not going to last long," Trump said.

“The path to a permanent end to the war is still far away,” Zelenskyy said, drawing Trump’s ire.

Following talks in London on Saturday–Sunday (1-2/3/2025), Britain and France explored the possibility of a one-month Russia–Ukraine ceasefire in the air, sea and energy infrastructure and supported by peacekeeping troops.

Zelenskyy said the talks were still on the first step. “We are still far from ending the war permanently,” Zelenskyy said, drawing Trump’s ire.

Zelenskyy continued in a video statement, Monday (3/3/2025) that true peace will only come through security guarantees for Ukraine which agreed to denuclearization in 1994 on condition of protection from the US and UK.

"The near-total lack of security guarantees for Ukraine 11 years ago allowed Russia to seize Crimea and the war in Donbas. The lack of security guarantees is also what allowed Russia to launch a full-scale attack in 2022," Zelenskyy said.

The pretext for the Russian attack was an objection to the expansion of Western influence in Ukraine since 2014 and the persecution of ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine. Russia also objected to the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe including Ukraine and Georgia. The issue of persecution of ethnic Russians in Ukraine was denied by the West.

Russia has denied Zelenskyy's allegations and accused him of not wanting to achieve peace.

Now on the battlefield, Ukrainian officials are reporting casualties from a Russian missile strike about 130 kilometers from the frontline near Dnipro, the city that divides Ukraine into eastern and western parts. A military blogger said 30-40 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 90 wounded in the Russian strike on Saturday.

Trump previously called Zelenskyy, who has been president since 2019, a dictator for not holding elections in Ukraine. The state of emergency has meant that elections have not been held in Ukraine for the past six years.

Zelenskyy has rejected demands to resign. He has repeatedly said that if Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, he will automatically resign. Ukraine's membership in NATO is strongly opposed by Russia. Now President Trump is also opposing the idea, citing regional stability concerns.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelenskyy's actions at the White House during a meeting with President Trump and Vice President Vance showed Zelenskyy's inability to conduct diplomacy. "He rejects peace," Peskov said.

Responding to the tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump, German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz said that the US–Ukraine tensions were triggered by Trump's actions.

US-Russian officials have held talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which has angered Ukraine and left Europe feeling abandoned. Ukraine fears a US-Russian deal would jeopardize Ukraine's future.

Zelenskky angered Trump and Vance in a meeting last week by questioning whether Russia could be trusted in the ceasefire deal.

Trump immediately went berserk and said that Zelenskyy was ungrateful for US aid and realized that his position was cornered so that peace was the most realistic option.

Meanwhile in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron told Le Figaro newspaper that the ceasefire would initially work. However, changing borders and Russian-controlled areas would make monitoring the ceasefire difficult.

Macron met Trump last week in Washington DC. So did British Prime Minister Keir Staramer who reiterated on Sunday that the US is still a reliable ally. Even as Trump has accommodated many of President Putin's interests. (AFP)