Budapest Wasn’t Enough: How ‘Security Guarantees’ Became a Meme
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission's President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Finland's President Alexander Stubb and NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, at the Ukrainian Embassy, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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For several days now, there has been considerable fuss over security guarantees for Ukraine. In a world where few are willing to take effective measures to rein in Putin, there is a need to give the appearance of action. That is why so much attention is being given to new security guarantees for Ukraine.
Because we didn’t have enough guarantees from Budapest in 1994.
In general, it should be understood that “security guarantees for Ukraine” are a meme.
This is a joke.
This is a farce.
In other words, when you hear or read conversations, articles, posts, stories, reels, or news about “security guarantees for Ukraine,” it is nothing more than information noise—pseudo-activity. It is emptiness.
And when you hear about guarantees “similar to Article 5 of the NATO Charter,” remember: this article has never been invoked in history. NATO members themselves question its effectiveness, which is why they conclude separate bilateral security agreements among themselves.
As for Ukraine, almost all countries in the world—and NATO itself—clearly and directly state that they will never send their troops to Ukraine. Both distant powers, like the USA and neighbors like Romania. Almost everyone.
There is some hope, though—Estonia has promised to send a company of soldiers. That is, about a hundred people. To Ukraine. Against the aggression of the world’s largest nuclear power. A hundred soldiers. Estonia. Under the banner of “security guarantees.” Yes. Really.
Once again, the phrase “security guarantees for Ukraine” is a meme.
The only real guarantee of security for Ukraine is the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, the colossal development of missile and unmanned aerial programs, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian spirit, and the realized Ukrainian Christian national identity.
Everything else is just partner assistance. It can be useful in times of threat, but it guarantees nothing.
Muscovy fears only the power of arms and the strength of the armed Ukrainian people. And only this can restrain it in the future.
As a reminder, talks at the White House between US President Donald Trump and European leaders have launched the formation of a new security architecture for Ukraine. The future guarantees will include four key elements – a military presence, air defense systems, the supply of weapons, and a mechanism for monitoring the cessation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, France, the United Kingdom, and several other European countries are planning to send a limited military contingent to Ukraine. The idea is to create a so-called “deterrence force,” which will include several thousand foreign military personnel.
In addition, the Chinese government has signaled that it may consider participating in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. According to the Welt newspaper, Beijing confirmed its readiness to send its contingent, but only if the mission is deployed based on a United Nations mandate. This position has caused mixed reviews in Brussels.
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