#imperialist

One of the key issues in the negotiations around Ukraine is guarantees of its future security. But as rightly noted on Twitter by the Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Ukraine has had such guarantees since 1994, enshrined in the Budapest Memorandum and received, among others, from the Kremlin. Let me remind you of the text of this memorandum: Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States undertake to respect the sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine… and never to use any weapons against Ukraine. For Putin, it is enough to show respect for Russia's existing commitments, and then the war will end. But for Putin, this memorandum is just a piece of paper. And any other documents, manifestos, and laws signed following negotiations with Trump, he will perceive as meaningless pieces of paper that can easily be flushed down the toilet along with the Budapest Memorandum if necessary. If we speak seriously, Ukraine's security can be ensured by three factors (at least one of the three). 1. Ukraine's accession to NATO and the extension of Article 5 of the Alliance's Charter to the country. That is, a direct NATO commitment to enter the war on Ukraine's side in case of military aggression against it. 2. The formation of a joint European Union army, of which the Armed Forces of Ukraine become a part. One of the main tasks of such an army will be the defense of Europe's eastern borders, protection of Ukraine, and deterrence of Kremlin aggression. 3. The dismantling of Putin's political regime and the formation of a new democratic government in Moscow, which will take a firm course toward the demilitarization of Russia, renunciation of imperial ambitions, building good relations with neighbors, and European integration. Everything else is not guarantees but empty talk and a respite before the resumption of a new large-scale war.