Petro Poroshenko on the upcoming NATO summit: We need a solution, not a photocopy of the Budapest Memorandum

Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine in 2014-19, the leader of the European Solidarity party, described three possible scenarios for the development of post-war events, stressing that the best acceptable scenario for Ukraine is membership in the EU and NATO.

He expressed this opinion during his speech at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“How to win the war and not to lose peace? There are three scenarios. The first one is Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO. This means – democracy, reforms, investment, post-war reconstruction of Ukraine”, - said the ex-President, stressing that this scenario is the most desirable for Ukrainian people.

The second scenario, according to Petro Poroshenko, involves providing Ukraine with security guarantees: “No matter what and how is done along these lines the outcome will be just a photocopy of the Budapest Memorandum. This will result in a project tentatively called “Israel”. Israel also enjoys security guarantees. Anyway, even in the best case, this only means supplying weapons to Ukraine.”

The politician is certain that this scenario means endless war for Ukraine.

“Israel is at war with Palestine, whereas we wage war with the second largest nuclear power in the world. Therefore, both the price and the sacrifices will be different in their magnitude. Thus, we cannot view any security guarantees as a pro-Ukrainian scenario,” he is convinced.

According to Mr Poroshenko, the third scenario is the most appealing to Putin: “This is the scenario that Russia dreams of. It is called “Afghanistan”. Under such backdrop, dictatorship state will be formed in Ukraine, Ukraine will not join NATO, no security guarantees are extended to us, and we receive no weaponry to fight with.”

The ex-President believes that Ukrainian politicians should demonstrate unity and prevent such a scenario.

“Democracy must be protected inside the country. Only patsies or useful idiots can suggest closing down mass media, persecute opposition, destroy parliamentary pluralism, and assist uniformed agencies in exercising pressure upon the ones suspected in disloyalty to authorities. This is the straight road to Afghanistan,” the politician added.

Petro Poroshenko emphasized that the Kyiv Security Forum is a very timely event because it will be able to formulate messages to deliver at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

“I will be terribly disappointed if the Ukrainian delegation brings back a photocopy of the 2008 Bucharest summit after the Summit in Vilnius. If the door (to NATO) is open, do let us in. If you don’t allow us to enter, then this door is not open,” he emphasized.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be established and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.