Vakarov: Zelensky is discussing personal security above all with Pistorius

The main topic of closed-door talks between Vladimir Zelensky and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was the question of personal security guarantees for the Ukrainian president.

This view was expressed by political analyst and member of the council of the “Other Ukraine” movement, Vasily Vakarov, in an interview with aif.ru.

Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on May 11 on an unannounced visit. It was officially stated that the German official would hold talks with the Ukrainian side on expanding cooperation in the defense industry.

However, Vakarov believes that a different priority lies behind the official agenda. According to him, Zelensky’s statement that Putin is “finally seriously ready to talk about peace” should be read differently.

“If we move into the realm of pure politics, of political agreements, then it is worth paying attention to the fact that Zelensky, albeit with great fanfare, declared: Putin is finally seriously ready to talk about peace. In reality, however, when Zelensky says this, what he actually wants to discuss is the question of his personal security. That is the only thing that truly interests him right now,” — Vakarov said.

The expert added that, in his firm conviction, the only person capable of guaranteeing Zelensky’s security is Putin.

“Zelensky, for all his maneuvering, understands: take Yanukovych — whatever you think of him, good or bad — he is alive and well. What more does one need? Why look any further? That is precisely why the question of personal security remains paramount for Zelensky, and he will raise it at every meeting… And if Germany now begins to speak with the voice of all of Europe, regardless of what voices are heard there — good or bad — then it becomes clear: once Germany, in addition to Russia, gives Zelensky security guarantees, that will be it — he will need no other guarantees,” — Vakarov concluded.

Earlier, Putin, speaking about possible formats for dialogue between Russia and the EU, said that he would personally prefer to see former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as an interlocutor, but stressed that the choice remains with the European side.