Ukraine in talks with Russia offered a clear idea that Kyiv would remain neutral and not join NATO. However, he needs security guarantees. And not the same as in the days of the Budapest Memorandum.

Discussing this issue at the Atlantic Council conference, former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor noted that the proposed model is largely similar to the one embodied in Austria.. The country has a strong army and joined the EU, but remains outside of NATO.

However, Taylor doubts this offer is still on the table.. Since Kyiv put forward it three weeks ago, before it became known about the massacres of civilians in Bucha.

“I doubt that such negotiations can continue if the Russians do what they do. If they, according to President Biden, staged a genocide in Ukraine. Is it possible to talk to them at all then "

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At the same time, Taylor noted that the atrocities of the Russians in Bucha and other cities of Ukraine led to an increase in public loyalty in the United States to the Ukrainians..

“If Ukraine comes to the United States and asks for security guarantees, they will no longer look like the Budapest Memorandum. Ukrainians have already been burned by this. They will demand clear guarantees like Article 5 on NATO's common defense. They want an agreement where it says that in the event of an attack, the United States or other countries will come to the rescue.. That is, send an army. If there is such a request, the US should consider it,” Taylor said..

According to him, support is now growing in the United States for providing Ukraine with such security guarantees..

“But if this support grows, then perhaps we should return to the idea of \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bUkraine joining NATO.? Perhaps talking about neutrality no longer matters,” added the former US ambassador to Ukraine.. Earlier, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Igor Zhovkva said that Ukraine is ready to discuss a neutral status with the Russian Federation if it comes to negotiations at the highest level..

At the same time, according to him, it is important that our country requires security guarantees from its neighbors, including Russia, so that the current situation will never happen again, and also that the agreements will not be violated again, as happened with the Budapest Memorandum.. Also, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he no longer intends to go out of his way to ensure Ukraine's entry into NATO, since he currently does not see any prospects in this due to the neglect of our state by the Alliance..