Ukraine history security agreements, Russia Ukraine conflict lessons, Western powers Ukraine support

If there is one lesson Ukraine learned from its history — be it Budapest memorandum of 1994, Minsk 1 in 2014 and Minsk 2 in 2015 — is that whatever it surrenders to Russia will be used to kill more Ukrainians, and the Western powers that issued security assurances will stand by…

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— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) August 17, 2025

If there is one lesson Ukraine learned from its history — be it Budapest memorandum of 1994, Minsk 1 in 2014 and Minsk 2 in 2015 — is that whatever it surrenders to Russia will be used to kill more Ukrainians, and the Western powers that issued security assurances will stand by…

The Budapest Memorandum of 1994

The Budapest Memorandum was a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s history. After giving up its nuclear arsenal, Ukraine received security assurances from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Unfortunately, these assurances proved ineffective when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. This historical event taught Ukrainians a hard lesson about the reliability of international agreements and security guarantees.

Minsk 1 in 2014

Following the annexation of Crimea, the Minsk 1 agreement aimed to halt the fighting in Eastern Ukraine. However, this ceasefire quickly fell apart. The ongoing conflict showed that giving in to Russia’s demands only encouraged further aggression. Ukrainians learned that compromises often came at a high cost, leading to more suffering and loss of life.

Minsk 2 in 2015

The Minsk 2 agreement was another attempt to restore peace, but it, too, failed to bring lasting stability. Instead of leading to a resolution, it set the stage for continued violence. The message was clear: every concession made to Russia had dire consequences for Ukrainian lives. As Yaroslav Trofimov insightfully pointed out, the lesson is unmistakable—whatever Ukraine surrenders could be used against it.

Understanding these historical lessons is crucial for Ukraine’s future. The ongoing conflict emphasizes the importance of standing firm against aggression. As the world watches, Ukraine’s resolve remains strong, shaped by the painful lessons of its past.