(KYIV, UKRAINE) – A leading Ukrainian foreign policy analyst has said that the only credible security guarantee for Ukraine and Europe is the full demilitarisation of the Russian Federation, a position that highlights the deep divide between Kyiv’s security priorities and those of some Western partners.
Speaking in the latest episode of the video programme Ukraine This Week with Don Arleth, Hanna Shelest argued that no external assurances or political agreements could replace the need to remove Russia’s military capacity to wage further wars. She said that, in her view, lasting security would only be possible if Russia were stripped of its ability to threaten its neighbours.
Shelest stated that the idea of demilitarising Russia was clearly understood in Ukraine, particularly after years of repeated aggression, but she acknowledged that such an outcome was not something the United States currently supported. Her remarks reflect a broader debate within Western policy circles about how far pressure on Moscow should go and what end state is realistic or desirable.
She said that if asked directly what security guarantee would truly work, her answer would be the proper demilitarisation of the Russian Federation. According to Shelest, Ukraine’s experience has shown that agreements, ceasefires, and diplomatic assurances have repeatedly failed to prevent renewed violence once Russia has had time to rebuild its forces.
The comments come amid continued fighting in Ukraine and ongoing discussions among allies about military aid, long term security arrangements, and possible future negotiations with Moscow.
Ukrainian officials have consistently argued that Russia’s military must be weakened to the point where it can no longer launch large scale attacks, while some Western governments have been more cautious, concerned about escalation and regional stability.
Shelest’s remarks also underline scepticism in Kyiv about proposals that rely heavily on political guarantees without addressing Russia’s military power. Many Ukrainian analysts argue that as long as Russia retains a large and aggressive armed force, any pause in fighting would simply allow it to prepare for another war.