Zelenskyy: “Security Guarantees Without America Are Not Real”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Europe cannot replace US support if President Donald Trump withdraws aid to Ukraine in an interview to The Guardian on February 11.

Ahead of a key diplomatic trip, Zelenskyy told The Guardian that “security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”

Trump has stated his intention to end the war, but concerns remain that a US-brokered deal could require Ukraine to concede to Russian demands.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength and said he would offer American companies investment opportunities to gain Trump’s support.

Later this week, Zelenskyy will attend the Munich Security Conference, where he expects to meet US Vice President JD Vance, a vocal critic of aid to Ukraine.

While no date is set for a meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy said discussions are ongoing. Trump recently stated he would “probably” meet Zelenskyy, potentially in Washington.

In a Fox News interview, Trump questioned continued US financial support for Ukraine. In response, Zelenskyy is pushing for US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a topic Trump has mentioned in recent media appearances.

Zelenskyy stressed the critical need for US military aid, particularly Patriot air defense systems, and emphasized that it is “very important” for Trump to meet with Ukraine before holding further talks with Putin.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said that if Trump facilitates negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, he would propose a territorial exchange, returning land in Russia’s Kursk region captured six months ago in exchange for occupied Ukrainian territory.