In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that before concluding peace negotiations with Russia, Ukraine must secure substantial security guarantees from its allies, particularly the United States. He mentioned that while American friends have prepared some form of security assurances, the initial steps could involve territorial exchanges or other concessions. This cautious approach stems from the public's desire for tangible guarantees, especially after the Budapest Memorandum failed to prevent Russia's invasion in 2014, following Ukraine's surrender of nuclear weapons and aircraft.

Zelensky pointed out that the current situation indicates Russia is unwilling to engage in meaningful compromises, as evidenced by the Russian Foreign Ministry's statements advocating for external governance in Ukraine. Such remarks imply a vision for 'democratic elections' in which a government amenable to signing a comprehensive peace treaty would gain power. However, this scenario realistically suggests that Ukraine would have to capitulate and accept all demands from the aggressor state, raising concerns among the populace about the implications of such an outcome.

Despite these tensions, trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are set to continue, with discussions scheduled in Geneva for this week. Previous negotiations held in Abu Dhabi did not yield significant breakthroughs, indicating the complexities and challenges that lie ahead in achieving a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.