Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the United States is offering security guarantees to Ukraine for a period of 15 years as part of ongoing peace negotiations. Zelensky expressed a preference for a longer commitment, suggesting a timeframe of up to 50 years to effectively deter future aggression from Russia. The announcement came following a meeting with US President Donald Trump at his resort in Florida, where Trump suggested that Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to reaching a peace settlement.
Negotiators are currently grappling with several critical issues that need resolution, such as the withdrawal of military forces and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the largest nuclear facilities globally, which remains under Russian occupation. Trump noted that despite the progress made, the US-led negotiations could still break down if substantive agreements are not reached.
In a series of voice messages sent to the media via WhatsApp, Zelensky emphasized the necessity of security guarantees for a lasting resolution to the conflict. He remarked, “Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end.” Since 2014, Ukraine has been embroiled in conflict with Russia, which illegally annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in the Donbas region.
While specific details regarding the proposed security guarantees remain undisclosed, Zelensky mentioned that they would outline how a peace agreement would be monitored and include the “presence” of partner nations. However, Russia has expressed strong opposition to any NATO troop deployments in Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump are expected to speak soon, but there was no indication of a direct conversation between Putin and Zelensky.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine’s allies will gather in Paris in early January 2024 to finalize their individual contributions to the security guarantees. Zelensky conveyed that he hopes the 20-point peace plan currently under discussion will be put to a national referendum in Ukraine. However, executing such a ballot would necessitate a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days, a condition that Moscow has not shown willingness to accept without a comprehensive settlement.
Zelensky also noted that the proposed security guarantees would require approval from the US Congress as well as from legislative bodies in other nations involved in the peace process. Trump indicated he may consider extending the duration of US security guarantees beyond the initial 15 years, depending on the terms of any final agreement reached.
