Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States had raised the possibility of a new security framework for Europe as part of efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, warning that Moscow could use such discussions to weaken NATO and reshape the continent's borders. Speaking to reporters on Friday, in comments embargoed until Saturday, he said: "In my view, this can be dangerous. This should not be the main agenda."

Zelenskyy said he believed Moscow was interested in reopening broader questions about European security rather than focusing exclusively on ending the 4 1/2-year war. "Putin's desire to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure this is part of his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe," he said, adding that such moves "lead to wars or escalations." European leaders have stressed that decisions about the continent's security must be made by Europeans themselves, warning against allowing Russia to dictate the terms of a new security order or negotiate NATO's future.S1S2

Zelenskyy said the United States had asked for the first time whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine that Russia does not control if Kyiv joined NATO. He reiterated that Kyiv would not surrender its territory. Ukraine is discussing a comprehensive security package with its partners that could include specific guarantees from NATO and the European Union, strong Ukrainian military and financial support for a specified period, and a recovery plan. "If the American side confirms precisely this to us, together with other NATO partners, then I will ask our Ukrainian society what it thinks: do we accept it or not?" he said. He stressed that any arrangement would not involve recognizing occupied territories as Russian.S1S2

Zelenskyy also rejected the possibility of Ukraine committing to neutrality, saying that would require changing the country's constitution. "If Putin expects Ukraine's neutrality to be enshrined, that's not going to happen," he said. "We're not in NATO right now anyway."S1S2

Zelenskyy warned that broader discussions could allow Putin to seek changes to NATO's military presence, including the withdrawal of American troops. He said Putin had raised similar ideas with then-President Joe Biden in 2021, seeking a redistribution of power in Europe and the world. "I think Putin will bring up Finland and Sweden. I'm sure he will raise the issue of Hungary and the presence of American troops in the Baltic countries," Zelenskyy said. He said any changes to Europe's security arrangements must be decided by European NATO members only after the war ends, with the sequence beginning with a ceasefire.S1S2