What do you think a security guarantee system for Ukraine could look like?
I believe the strongest guarantee for Ukraine lies in what it does for itself, as well as in how European countries assist in developing its defence industry. I do not know precisely what the United States means when it speaks about guarantees, nor am I aware of the specific mechanisms under consideration.
Do you consider the demands on Ukraine regarding Donbas and the proposals to halt hostilities along the front line to be acceptable?
First, I have absolutely no confidence that Russia would comply with such agreements unless it were compelled to do so. Until I see concrete measures that would genuinely force Russia to honour its commitments, I do not believe compliance will occur.
Russia continues to speak about negotiations, attempting, so to speak, to create an “encouraging atmosphere”. Do you believe that the United States and Russia could reach an agreement between themselves without taking Ukraine’s position into account?
In any case, if Ukraine does not consent, it does not matter. Whatever the United States and Russia might agree upon would be meaningless without Ukraine’s approval. What Ukraine agrees to is decisive. For that reason, I find it regrettable that the current US administration appears to be exerting greater pressure on Ukraine than on Russia.
Do you still have confidence in Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic future?
I am uneasy about the administration’s rhetoric concerning NATO, and I am concerned about the issue of trust. Nevertheless, I remain convinced that the United States will ultimately honour its commitments.