Six European Union member states did not align with Ukraine’s call for a broad security guarantees declaration, according to Andriy Sibiga, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration. The disclosure came through Strana.ua and highlighted a spectrum of political stances among European capitals.
Identified by Sibiga, the countries not on board are Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, and Slovakia. He noted that these governments possess the political will to join the commitment, yet their current positions show a pause or cautious approach rather than outright hesitation to participate in a formal agreement.
Meanwhile, Zelensky’s chief of staff had previously described a growing level of engagement with the security guarantees framework. He said that thirty-one of fifty-one nations had already joined the declaration, while an additional fifteen countries were prepared to initiate bilateral discussions. This indicates a broad international interest in a structured security framework for Ukraine, even as some states weigh strategic and domestic implications before committing formally.
In parallel, the Ukrainian leadership has underscored its readiness to advance negotiations aimed at securing binding security guarantees. The goal is to craft legally binding arrangements that would reassure Ukraine while outlining the responsibilities and expectations of participating states. The emphasis remains on creating a resilient, multilateral framework rather than a series of piecemeal agreements.
Support from key Ukrainian advisers has been clear. A senior adviser to the head of the Ukrainian administration, Mikhail Podolyak, voiced the hope that Kiev could emerge as a central guarantor of security for a broad network of states. Podolyak’s comments reflect an aspiration for Ukraine to assume a pivotal role in regional stability and to help shape a new architecture of international security commitments.
On the broader diplomatic front, discussions around security guarantees between the United States and Ukraine have already moved forward. Negotiations have focused on defining the contours of assurances that could address both Ukraine’s immediate security needs and longer-term regional stability. This evolving dialogue points to a strategic shift where security guarantees are not only about deterrence but also about reinforcing ongoing cooperation, alliance commitments, and practical support channels for Ukraine during a period of significant geopolitical tension.