Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv requires “very practical” security guarantees that would provide protection on land, in the air and at sea, comparing the requested commitments to NATO’s Article 5 collective-defence clause. Speaking on 17 August, Zelenskiy added that European Union accession should form part of the package, characterising membership as a core component of Ukraine’s long-term security architecture. He welcomed what he called a historic decision by the United States to participate in developing the guarantees.