RECENT tension in the Oval Office has highlighted a deep chasm between the US and Ukraine. American leaders seem not to fully grasp why Ukrainians continue to insist strongly on the need for security guarantees.
Yet, for millions of Ukrainians, those guarantees aren’t just diplomatic terms – they’re the foundation of their future.
Ukraine has been pressured into accepting an ineffective ceasefire, but the question of real, credible guarantees remains unresolved – especially now that the US has explicitly rejected providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
As the president of Ukraine plainly stated: “Yes, of course, I want to stop the war. But, as I’ve said to you, with guarantees. Ask our people about the ceasefire – what do they think?”
Perhaps the best way to truly understand why these guarantees matter is not by speaking with politicians, but by talking to someone whose entire world revolves around the future: a mother who has brought new life into a country at war.
Polina became a mother in October 2024 in Kyiv. The decision to have a baby was made in 2023, when the family realized that the war could last for an undefined amount of time – maybe a year, maybe 10 years.
“There were discussions about security guarantees at that point, but more hope was placed on the counter-offensive,” Polina says.
However, she adds, “the decision was not easy – you never know what to expect from the war and how it might change. The question remains: If not now, then when? When should we live our lives or have children, if not now? We are only given the chance to live life right now. People had babies even during the Second World War.
“If things get even worse than now, we could simply miss our chance to have a family. Unfortunately, right now, I don’t see a bright future ahead.”
Current US policy towards Ukraine is pressing and distressing, particularly because the initial dismissal of Nato as a security guarantee during negotiations with Russia has itself provoked fear and anxiety within Ukrainian society, contributing to an environment of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Polina continues: “Without security guarantees, the Russian army could conquer us in this war or the next.
“We will have enduring peace only with robust security guarantees, ideally through Nato membership. If not Nato, we would need something equally strong, committed and reliable because we know Russia would not honour any agreement that exists only on paper. The world is changing quickly. Previously, our partners had many ‘red lines’ – like supplying tanks, F-16s and other weaponry – and the possibility of European troops wasn’t even discussed, but now things are different.
“I believe Nato membership could become a realistic option in the future, although Russia will do everything possible to prevent this.”
Indeed, Russia has frequently resorted to nuclear sabre-rattling to discourage the crossing of these new “red lines”. Even subjects like the “holy Russian motherland,” once considered taboo, are now openly challenged by Ukrainian activities in Kursk and other regions of Russia.
“Security guarantees have become an integral part of life,” Polina emphasises. They dominate both society and media discussions.
“If you want to survive and protect your child, you must know what’s coming next, you can’t afford to remain trapped in the bubble of daily routine.”
This “bubble” – focusing only on today’s immediate concerns like work or school – can be perilous, as ignoring the broader picture might lead to serious dangers down the road. Ukrainians are learning to think strategically, understanding that survival and securing their children’s future demands planning ahead rather than merely managing day-to-day existence.
Thus, merely focusing on a ceasefire would not bring genuine peace closer, it might instead result in betrayal, providing Russia with more time to regroup and escalate tensions further.
“A world without security guarantees drastically increases the risk that Russia could conquer us,” Polina warns.
“People in democratic and peaceful parts of the world often don’t fully grasp what occupation truly means – the complete erasure of Ukrainian identity, politically motivated persecution, torture and constant fear. This is precisely what’s happening right now in occupied territories.
“Accepting a peace deal without solid security guarantees would be outright capitulation. A ceasefire alone isn’t an option – it’s simply not enough until our security and future are genuinely protected.”
Polina remains in Kyiv with her child and husband, waking up nightly to air raid sirens, a harsh reality for more than three years now. She insists on staying in Ukraine because she deeply values her Ukrainian identity and dreams of raising her daughter in a peaceful, secure homeland.
However, she admits that if Russia were ever able to impose its will and make it dangerous to call themselves Ukrainian in their own city, only then would she reluctantly consider leaving Ukraine.
In the end, the uncertainty and anxiety highlighted by diplomatic tensions thousands of miles away in the Oval Office are mirrored in Polina’s nightly experiences. Security guarantees aren’t just political jargon – they’re essential to ensuring that mothers like Polina can promise their children a future free from fear.
“We’ve named our daughter Orysia, which means peace,” Polina shares thoughtfully.
“We Ukrainians want peace more desperately than anyone else affected by this war. But we need a peace that will last – a peace that guarantees our ability to remain Ukrainians, freely and safely, in our own homeland. Ultimately, that’s all we’re truly fighting for.”
