Nuclear weapons should've been changed for real security guarantees – Zelenskyy

09:23, 28.01.2025 1 min read

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Ukraine giving up its nuclear arsenal as "illogical," adding that it should have been exchanged for real security guarantees.

He also said that he had discussed the Budapest Memorandum with U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Honestly, I believe this was not the way to deal with Ukraine or Europe. Because Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons. I am not claiming that it should have or should have not given it. In my opinion, it should not have done this, judging by the fact that we were attacked," Zelenskyy said in an interview with Italian journalist Cecilia Sali, who was released from Iranian captivity on January 8.

The head of state added that nuclear weapons "should have been exchanged for real security guarantees, and back then it was only NATO."

"To be honest, even today it is only NATO," he said.