The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has arrived in Washington, D.C., where he is set to have a crucial meeting with Donald Trump on the topic of a possible peace agreement.
The discussions come at a time when Trump is pushing for a swift solution to end the bloodiest conflict in Europe in the last eight decades.
Zelensky has warned that any agreement must prevent the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin, from using any concessions as a "springboard" for a new attack, referring to the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The lesson of history
"We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack. Or when Ukraine was given so called “security guarantees” in 1994, but they didn't work.," the Ukrainian leader stated.
In 1994, the USA, UK, and Russia signed what would become known as the Budapest Memorandum. It was part of efforts to persuade Ukraine, along with other former Soviet republics, to give up nuclear weapons. In return, the three powers committed to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, prohibiting the use of military force or economic coercion.
However, Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, triggering a series of events that ultimately led to today's meeting at the White House.
The failure of a security guarantee does not mean that all are useless. Certainly, Trump will give more weight to a document bearing his signature than one signed by a predecessor, writes BBC.
Yet, for Ukraine, it is a painful lesson from history - one they know all too well.
Today's context
According to Reuters, the meeting between Zelensky and Trump is scheduled as a one-on-one session before European leaders join the extended discussions. Several European officials have announced that they will also come to Washington to participate in the negotiations.
The meeting comes just two days after Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 — a summit to which Zelensky was not invited. Following that meeting, Trump stated that he and Putin had "reached an advanced point" in peace talks, but no agreement was signed.
- What was achieved in Alaska: Putin defied Kiev and Europe and proposed the next meeting in Moscow (Video)
- Trump-Putin in Alaska: The red carpet and American soldiers on their knees sparked strong reactions
Later, Trump said that he and Putin had "largely reached an agreement" regarding a possible territorial exchange and providing security guarantees for Ukraine. "I think we are quite close to an agreement," Trump said. "Ukraine has to agree to it. They may say no."
Just hours before the meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, Donald Trump ruled out the return of Crimea to Ukraine and its accession to NATO, suggesting that the war could end "almost immediately" if Kiev accepts Moscow's conditions.
Sources cited by Kyiv Independent have stated that Moscow's proposal would involve Ukraine withdrawing from areas under partial occupation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for Russia withdrawing from certain areas in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Zelensky reiterated that he will not accept territorial concessions in peace negotiations, insisting that any agreement must begin with a ceasefire. "I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance. Russia must end this war, which it itself started. And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace," Zelensky added.