““It was stupid, illogical and very irresponsible”: Zelenskyi on Ukraine’s renunciation of nuclear weapons The President of Ukraine said that the renunciation of nuclear weapons was an illogical step under pressure from the United States and Russia. According to him, Ukraine actually exchanged nuclear weapons for war instead of real security guarantees.”, — write on: unn.ua
We talked about the Budapest memorandum and he (Trump – ed.) heard my position. My position is…probably it differs from loyalty to some steps. I believe that it was impossible to do this with Ukraine or with Europe, because Ukraine gave away nuclear weapons. I do not pretend that it should have been given or not. In my opinion, it is not necessary, judging by the fact that we were attacked, but even if you decided, either the policies of the USA and Russia were united at that time and forced Ukraine to give up nuclear weapons. I believe that it was simply dangerous, to say the least, to change it for nothing. It was necessary to exchange it for real security guarantees, and then it was NATO
He emphasized that NATO still remains the only security guarantee for Ukraine.
“In peacetime, it is NATO, and in wartime, it is a strong army. If I were to exchange nuclear weapons, I would exchange them for something very strong, which can really stop any attacker, regardless of its size, its territory, its army. I believe that it was stupid, illogical and very irresponsible to change like that. The fact that Ukraine was influenced by larger countries and economies at that time was not easy to refuse, but one must be able to refuse.” added Zelensky.
The President noted that Ukraine exchanged nuclear weapons for war.
We will remind
Earlier, Zelensky emphasized that the Budapest memorandum, which was signed on December 5, 1994, proved that it did not work for a single day, so everyone in the world will now know that the mere signature of any state, some assurances or promises for security is not enough, but effective guarantees are required.