'We're not close yet': Maj. Gen. Havrylov on Ukraine security guarantees

Volodymyr Havrylov, Reserve Major General, former Deputy Defense Minister (2022-2023), and head of the Yevhen Berezniak Military Diplomatic Academy (2014-2015), expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"The security guarantees document is extensive and contains various directions for their provision - from economic and military to security matters. However, in the process of ending the war, Putin's position remains important for us. When we say 'Russia,' we mean 'Putin.' And for Putin, these security guarantees are secondary documents, because for him the main question is Ukraine's existence. If he achieves his goal, then no guarantees interest him. But if he doesn't achieve it, meaning Ukraine remains independent and joins the EU in 2027, for him that is death," Havrylov emphasized.

According to the reserve major general, regulatory documents on security guarantees being developed with the U.S. will only take effect if Russia's leadership has the desire, readiness, and will to settle the war and commit this to paper. But we're not very close to that yet - many events lie ahead before Russia understands that there is no military solution to this issue.

"And only after the war, after signing certain basic documents with Russia on ceasefire and stabilization, will it be possible to consider the parameters of security guarantees. Today, the Russian side is not particularly interested in what exactly these guarantees will be. They're not very interested in this. Publicly they may say something about it, mention it in bilateral negotiations, but in reality they still hope to achieve victory in this war through military means," Havrylov concluded.

• Ukraine and the United States have jointly developed a bilateral agreement on security guarantees. Next, it must be signed and ratified by the parliaments of both countries.