Zelensky’s Candid Interview: Regret Over Nuclear Arsenal, NATO Aspirations, and Trump’s Role

In a wide-ranging interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed regret over Ukraine’s relinquishment of its nuclear arsenal and outlined his vision for a path to peace, including the potential role of former President Donald Trump.

The three-hour conversation touched on a multitude of critical issues, including security guarantees, the ongoing conflict with Russia, and the potential for future negotiations. Fridman even admitted to having a “dream” of seeing Zelenskyy, Putin, and Trump together to broker peace, a scenario Zelenskyy ultimately rejected.

Zelenskyy’s comments on Ukraine’s nuclear past were particularly poignant. “Ukraine has had security guarantees. In the Budapest Memorandum, nuclear weapons are security guarantees that Ukraine has had. Ukraine has had nuclear weapons. I don’t wont to say it as a good thing or bad. Nowadays, the truth is that we are not bad,” he stated, highlighting the perceived failure of international security assurances following the country’s denuclearization in 1994.

He further elaborated on the budapest Memorandum, stating, “Budapest memorandum, nuclear weapons, this is what we have. Ukraine uses them for defense. This does not mean that someone has attacked us. This does not mean that we will use it. We already have that opportunity. These are our security commitments.” This statement underscores Ukraine’s current vulnerability and its desire for stronger international support.

Zelenskyy sharply criticized the US, UK, and other nuclear powers for their perceived inaction in protecting ukraine’s sovereignty. “They don’t care,” he said in Russian, a language he largely avoided during the interview, adding, “Russia doesn’t care, and the other security guarantors don’t matter…” This candid assessment reflects a deep frustration with the international community’s response to the ongoing conflict.

Though, Zelenskyy did offer a path towards a ceasefire.”we will cease fire if that works, and no one intends to use that weapon. But that weapon must be kept, not as before, with all due respect to America. I don’t want the situation that happened again with mr. Biden,” he said, referencing the initial slow response from Western allies to the Russian invasion.

Regarding NATO membership, Zelenskyy suggested that joining the alliance would allow for action “on the territories controlled by Ukraine – this can be negotiated.” He also clarified his stance on a three-way meeting with Trump and Putin, stating that he would prefer to meet with Trump first, with European involvement, to secure strong security guarantees before engaging in talks with Russia.

“First, we will make an agreement with him on how we can end the war, stop Mr. Putin. It is crucial for us to sit down with him. For us, it is important that the Department must have a voice, Europe too,” Zelenskyy explained, emphasizing the need for European support in any negotiations. He added, “I believe that Mr. Trump, together with Europe, can give strong security guarantees to Ukraine. Then – there will be a conversation with the Russians. That’s all, without sitting down with three people together for a while.”

The interview provides a compelling insight into zelenskyy’s perspective on the war, his hopes for peace, and his assessment of the international community’s role in the ongoing conflict.

Zelensky’s Conditions for Trump Meeting: weapons, Assets, and Invitations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelenskyy revealed a series of conditions for a meeting with former President Donald Trump, including an official invitation and a significant proposal involving Russian assets and American weapons. The comments, made during an interview, shed light on the complex dynamics between the two leaders and the ongoing conflict in ukraine.

zelenskyy emphasized the importance of a formal invitation to any meeting with Trump, stating, “I could not have come during the war if President Trump had not invited me…if he had invited me,I would have come.” This statement, seemingly prompted by a suggestion from an interviewer identified as Fridman, who countered, “He must have invited you verbally,” highlights the perceived lack of official communication between the two leaders.

The Ukrainian president further elaborated on his expectations, suggesting a need for “special measures” to facilitate a meeting. He accompanied this statement with a gesture mimicking a phone call, hinting at the logistical and diplomatic complexities involved.

Perhaps the most striking revelation was Zelenskyy’s proposal to Trump: a direct exchange of Russian assets for American weaponry. “I told Mr. Trump: Give us 300 billion dollars of russian assets and we will buy your weapons, invest in your business,” Zelenskyy stated. This bold proposition underscores ukraine’s urgent need for military aid and its willingness to explore unconventional funding mechanisms.

However,the feasibility of this proposal faces significant hurdles. The majority of frozen Russian assets are held not in the United States, but within the european Union. While western nations have shown a willingness to utilize the income generated from these assets to support Ukraine, the direct transfer of $300 billion remains a contentious issue.

Zelenskyy’s desire to meet with Trump extends beyond the immediate proposal. He had previously expressed his intention to meet with the former president after his inauguration, indicating a longer-term strategic interest in engaging with Trump despite the complexities and potential political sensitivities involved.

the implications of Zelenskyy’s statements are far-reaching. They reveal a nuanced approach to securing aid and support, highlighting the challenges of navigating international relations during wartime. the proposal involving Russian assets raises questions about the future of sanctions and the potential for creative solutions to fund Ukraine’s defense efforts. The overall situation underscores the ongoing complexities of the conflict and the diverse strategies employed by Ukraine to secure its future.

Zelensky Proposes Nuclear Weapons Swap,Expresses Regret over UkraineS Past Disarmament

* A Candid Reflection on Security Guarantees and The Path to Peace



In an extensive interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman,Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced regrets about ukraine’s past denuclearization,while outlining his vision for achieving peace,including a potential role for former President Donald Trump.



Nuclear Disarmament and the Failure of Security Guarantees



During the conversation, zelenskyy expressed deep remorse regarding Ukraine’s decision to give up its nuclear arsenal in 1994, stating, “[Ukraine] had security guarantees. In the Budapest Memorandum, nuclear weapons are security guarantees that Ukraine has had. Ukraine had nuclear weapons. I don’t want to say it as a good thing or bad. Nowadays, the truth is that we are not bad.”



He went on to highlight the perceived inadequacy of international



security assurances provided after Ukraine’s disarmament through the Budapest Memorandum, declaring, “Budapest memorandum, nuclear weapons, this is what we have. Ukraine uses them for defense. This does not mean that someone has attacked us. This does not mean that we will use it.We already have that prospect.These are our security commitments.”



Zelenskyy Criticizes International Inaction





Zelenskyy also offered a scathing critique of the US, UK, and othre nuclear powers for their inaction in protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty, adding, “They don’t care,” he said in Russian. “Russia doesn’t care, and the other security guarantors don’t matter…”



Restarting Nuclear Transfers



In a particularly bold move, Zelenskyy proposed a direct exchange of frozen Russian assets for American weaponry, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. He stated, “I told Mr.Trump: Give us 300 billion dollars of russian assets and we will buy your weapons, invest in your business.”



Negotiations with Putin and the Role of Donald trump



Zelenskyy expressed a willingness to negotiate with Russia, but only after securing strong security guarantees from the West. He revealed that he prefers to first meet with Trump, along with European representatives, to establish these guarantees before engaging directly with Putin.





Dr. Sergey Radchenko, an expert on international security and post-Soviet relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, weighs in on Zelenskyy’s stark pronouncements:



Dr. radchenko, what are your thoughts on Zelenskyy’s regret regarding Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament?



“Zelenskyy’s statements reflect the harsh realities Ukraine faces today. While the 1994 Budapest Memorandum was intended to provide security assurances in exchange for Ukraine relinquishing its nuclear arsenal, those guarantees have proven insufficient in the face of Russian aggression. His words highlight a deep sense of vulnerability and a longing for a time when Ukraine possessed a greater deterrent against foreign threats.”



How do you perceive Zelenskyy’s proposal to swap Russian assets for US weaponry?





“This proposition underscores the dire need for military aid and the creative lengths to which Ukraine is willing to go to secure it. Accessing a portion of the frozen Russian assets would undoubtedly be a notable boon for Ukraine’s defense efforts. However, the legal and logistical complexities of such a move are considerable. It also raises crucial questions about the future of sanctions against Russia and the potential for precedents.”





What are your thoughts on Zelenskyy’s desire first to negotiate with Trump before perhaps engaging with Putin?





“Zelenskyy is clearly looking to leverage potential support from multiple actors, including the US and Europe, before entering into any negotiations with Putin. He seems to be seeking strong and binding security guarantees as a precondition for any future peace talks. While Trump’s role remains uncertain,Zelenskyy’s willingness to consider him in this context reflects a desire to explore all possible avenues for achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.”





The interview provides a sobering glimpse into Zelenskyy’s mindset, his unwavering commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty, and his willingness to explore unorthodox solutions in the face of an existential threat. The international community now faces the complex challenge of navigating these proposals and determining how best to support Ukraine in its fight for survival.