The United States has proposed providing Ukraine with security guarantees lasting 15 years as part of an emerging peace framework aimed at ending the war with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the offer but said a much longer commitment would be necessary to ensure lasting deterrence and stability. Negotiations continue amid unresolved territorial and security issues.
Security Guarantees at the Center of Talks
Zelenskyy said the proposed guarantees are essential to any peace settlement, warning that without firm security assurances the conflict is unlikely to end. He stated that the current US proposal covers a 15-year period, though Ukraine would prefer guarantees extending up to 50 years to prevent future Russian aggression.
While specific details have not been made public, Zelenskyy indicated the guarantees would address how a peace agreement is monitored and involve a continued presence of international partners. Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of NATO troops being deployed on Ukrainian territory.
Trump Pushes Optimism Despite Unresolved Issues
President Donald Trump hosted Zelenskyy in Florida over the weekend and said Ukraine and Russia are closer than ever to reaching a peace deal. At the same time, Trump acknowledged that negotiations remain fragile and could still collapse without progress on key disputes.
Major sticking points include the withdrawal of forces, control of occupied territories, and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of the largest nuclear facilities in the world.
International Role and Congressional Approval
Zelenskyy said Trump signaled openness to extending US security guarantees beyond 15 years, though any agreement would require approval from the US Congress and legislative bodies in other participating countries. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Ukraine’s allies will meet in Paris in early January to finalize each country’s contributions to the security framework.
Russia, meanwhile, has indicated that future discussions may occur between Trump and President Vladimir Putin, but has given no indication that direct talks with Zelenskyy are planned.
Referendum and Ceasefire Challenges
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s proposed 20-point peace plan should ultimately be approved by voters in a national referendum. However, Ukrainian law requires a ceasefire of at least 60 days before such a vote can be held.
Moscow has so far shown no willingness to agree to a temporary truce without a full settlement in place, complicating the path toward public approval of any deal.
Conclusion
The US offer of 15-year security guarantees marks a significant step in the ongoing peace effort, but major obstacles remain. Ukraine is pushing for longer term assurances, while unresolved military, territorial, and political questions continue to cloud prospects for a durable settlement.