As diplomatic talks pick up speed again, Ukraine’s “red lines” are often mistakenly perceived as a negotiating tactic. In our new article, we explain that this is not bargaining, but a matter of security — the minimum conditions without which Ukraine will not be able to preserve its sovereignty and defend itself against renewed aggression.
The “red lines” are based on the real experience of 2014–2022, when an uncontrolled and unaccountable ceasefire and vague “guarantees” did not stop Russia, but only gave it time to prepare for a new escalation.
Main conclusion: Ukraine’s “red lines” are a safeguard that makes peace realistic and sustainable. If they are ignored, the risks do not disappear — they are simply postponed and eventually become more costly for the whole of Europe.
New material was prepared by The Transatlantic Dialogue Center with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The material represents the authors’ views and does not necessarily reflect the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.
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