When Ukraine’s army is given the weapons it needs, it defeats Russia on the battlefield. That is the lesson the world learned as it watched Ukrainian forces quickly retake the Kharkiv region this month. Since the beginning of September, Ukrainian forces have liberated more than 2,300 square miles of territory in the south and east of the country.
The discovery of further Russian war crimes has darkened the joy of liberation. As in Bucha, Ukrainian forces have uncovered mass graves and evidence of torture in Balakliya, Izyum and villages across the Kharkiv region and beyond. The barbarism of the Russian occupation shows why the world must support Ukraine in finishing this war and bringing those responsible to justice. Ukraine’s allies must ensure this can never happen again.
That is the aim of the recommendations for security guarantees we presented to President
Volodymyr Zelensky.
We call for the creation of the Kyiv Security Compact between Ukraine and its partners. The principle is simple: Ukraine’s security relies primarily on its ability to defend itself. Ukraine needs long-term contributions from its allies to do this effectively.
This doesn’t replace Ukraine’s ambition to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This aspiration is safeguarded in Ukraine’s Constitution and remains a sovereign decision. In the long run both NATO and European Union membership would bolster Ukraine’s security. But these goals will take time to achieve. Security guarantees can protect Ukraine now.
Ukraine needs to develop and maintain a significant military capable of withstanding Russia’s armed forces and paramilitary organizations. This requires a multidecade commitment from Ukraine’s allies. We call for sustained investment in Ukraine’s industrial defense base, the transfer of NATO standard weapons, intelligence sharing, and intensive training missions under both EU and NATO flags. We must ensure that the cost of a future attack on Ukraine is too high to bear.
One example of how allies can enhance Ukraine’s security is by providing modern and effective air-defense and antimissile systems. In reaction to Ukraine’s recent victories on the battlefield, Russia has resorted to targeting civilian infrastructure with long-range missiles. This is a war crime. To protect the civilian population and allow…
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