Yermak: Ukraine Must Be Given Security Guarantees That Lend Credibility To Future Ceasefire Agreement

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) With U.S. leadership and European support, Ukraine can achieve long-term peace. However, this requires fulfilling several key conditions, including increased pressure on Russia and providing Kyiv with security guarantees.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said this in an op-ed published in The Guardian ahead of Tuesday's meeting between Ukrainian and American delegations in Jeddah.

"A ceasefire in Ukraine will not come through diplomatic gestures alone. A number of conditions are crucial beforehand in order to ensure that peace – when it comes – is lasting," Yermak said.

According to him, this includes putting political and financial pressure on Russia to raise the cost of renewed conflict.

"First, Ukraine must be given security guarantees that lend credibility to a future ceasefire agreement. Second, Europe must act decisively to strengthen and increase the sanctions against Russia. And third, Europe should take control of the frozen Russian assets to enable continued and increased support for Ukraine," Yermak said.

Read also: Yermak before meeting in Jeddah: Ukraine is very open to negotiations with US

He noted that last week's European Council session proves that Europe – when united – can take control of its own security and destiny. Therefore, he said, Ukraine's insistence on fulfilling these conditions is driven by its commitment to lasting European security.

"Moscow's decade-long aggression against Ukraine cannot be taken lightly – the leaders of Europe recognize this and we call on them at this critical time to deliver on the promising discussions in Brussels last Thursday," Yermak said.

He said that Europe's decision to jointly borrow up to EUR 150 billion for member-state defense spending, combined with a potential EUR 20 billion for Ukraine's defense, will make a tangible contribution to establishing a robust defense architecture for the whole of Europe.

"Credible deterrence will help to ensure that any ceasefire has the best chances of becoming a lasting peace. Europe cannot allow a ceasefire that serves only to allow Russia to rearm, rebuild its forces and come back for more Ukrainian lands and resources," Yermak said.

He also added that one of the most potent tools in Europe's arsenal is the EUR 300 billion in frozen Russian assets held in western financial institutions. "These resources should remain under embargo, with profits used to sustain Ukraine's financial recovery. Allowing Russia to reclaim these funds after its war of aggression would have catastrophic consequences," he explained.

Yermak stressed that Ukraine greatly appreciates the generosity of the U.S. and its efforts to achieve peace for Ukraine. "But European unity is no less important in this process. Only together can we build a security architecture that will guarantee peace and prosperity for generations to come," he said.

On March 11, Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began their meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Ukrainian delegation includes Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa.

The U.S. delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy for Middle East Steve Witkoff.

Key topics of discussion will include the path to peace and Ukraine-U.S. bilateral relations, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

Rubio previously stated that further aid to Ukraine would depend on the outcome of the negotiations in Jeddah.

Photo: Ukraine's Presidential Office

MENAFN11032025000193011044ID1109303480