Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Not Enshrine Neutrality in Constitution

Ukraine refused to enshrine the country’s neutrality in its Constitution

Ukraine has no intention of enshrining neutral status in its Constitution, as this would not provide the country with long-term security guarantees. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasised that Kyiv still hopes to join the European Union, reports ‘Interfax-Ukraine’.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Photo: Associated Press

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According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is not currently a member of NATO, so enshrining neutrality in the constitution would not alter its present status. However, the country has no intention of ruling out the possibility of joining international alliances, reports ‘Interfax-Ukraine’.

“Enacting neutrality means amending your country’s constitution, and Ukraine will not go down that route,” the president stated.

Ukraine’s neutral status remains one of Moscow’s key demands for resolving the conflict. Russia insists that Kyiv renounce joining military blocs and enshrine this renunciation in the Constitution. The Ukrainian authorities consider this option unacceptable, as it does not guarantee the country’s long-term security.

Right at the start of the hostilities, the Russian authorities stated that Moscow was prepared to halt its military operation ‘immediately’ if Ukraine met Russia’s demands. These included a refusal to join military alliances and the introduction of corresponding amendments to the Constitution.

In April 2022, during talks in Istanbul, Moscow and Kyiv drew up a draft treaty on Ukraine’s permanent neutrality and international guarantees of its security. The document, dated 15 April, provided that Russia, the US, the UK, France and China would recognise and guarantee Ukraine’s neutral status. Kyiv, for its part, was to undertake not to take any action contrary to this status.

According to RBC, in June 2023 Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine’s neutrality was of fundamental importance to Moscow. He recalled that upon gaining independence, Ukraine had proclaimed its neutral status, and expressed his lack of understanding regarding the reasons for its subsequent rapprochement with NATO.

Ukraine’s neutrality was later cited as one of the conditions for lasting peace. Among Moscow’s other demands were that the country remain non-nuclear, as well as the transfer to Russia of the DPR, the LPR, and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. According to the Russian side, these conditions can be met through diplomatic means; otherwise, Russia intends to enforce them by military means.

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