In a major development in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United States has offered Kyiv a 15-year security guarantee. The announcement follows high-level discussions between Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, where a revised peace plan was presented with the goal of ending years of hostilities that have reshaped Eastern Europe.
While Trump indicated that an agreement on security guarantees was “close to 95% done,” Zelensky has expressed a preference for longer-term guarantees, potentially spanning 30, 40, or even 50 years. The discussions highlight the centrality of security assurances in any prospective peace agreement and reflect the delicate negotiations needed to balance the interests of Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and European allies.
Security Guarantees: A Critical Component
The offer of security guarantees underscores the importance Ukraine places on ensuring long-term safety in the face of continued threats from Russia. President Zelensky stressed that without credible and enforceable guarantees, Kyiv cannot consider the conflict truly resolved.
“Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over. We cannot acknowledge that it has ended, because with such a neighbor there remains a risk of renewed aggression,” Zelensky said, according to AFP.
Security guarantees are intended to provide Ukraine with international backing in the event of renewed hostilities. While the US has proposed a 15-year term, Zelensky’s push for longer guarantees reflects a broader concern among Ukrainian policymakers about the reliability of international commitments and the unpredictable nature of Russia’s foreign policy.
President Trump suggested that European allies could assume a significant portion of responsibility for implementing these guarantees, with US support. This approach reflects a strategy to distribute the burden of ensuring Ukrainian security across a coalition of states rather than relying solely on Washington.
Territorial Disputes and Donbas
While security guarantees are central, other contentious issues remain unresolved, most notably territorial disputes and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, located in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
The Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk, has been a focal point of the conflict since 2014. Moscow currently controls approximately 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk. Ukraine has proposed that the parts it still controls could become a free economic zone policed by its forces. Russia, however, has insisted on full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from contested areas, highlighting the difficulty of negotiating compromises on territory that both sides view as strategically and politically critical.
Trump commented after the meeting that the situation in Donbas remains “unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer,” signaling that while progress may be made, a lasting settlement will require careful negotiation. He also floated the possibility of trilateral talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine in the future, though he emphasized timing would be key.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant: A Strategic Challenge
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, remains under Russian control and represents a critical issue in the peace talks. Zelensky has cited its status as one of the final obstacles to a comprehensive agreement. The facility’s operational safety, sovereignty, and management are all points of concern for Ukraine, the US, and European partners, particularly in light of potential environmental and security risks.
Ceasefire, Referendum, and Public Input
President Zelensky has also proposed that any peace plan be ratified through a public referendum, highlighting the need for citizen involvement in determining Ukraine’s future. He suggested that a 60-day ceasefire would be required to facilitate such a vote. However, Russia reportedly does not support a temporary ceasefire under these conditions, which has complicated negotiations.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting, Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Both leaders reportedly agreed that a temporary ceasefire could prolong the conflict rather than resolve it. Trump acknowledged Moscow’s position, while maintaining that he believed Putin “wants Ukraine to succeed.”
European and Global Reactions
European allies have closely monitored the Florida discussions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the talks as showing “good progress” while stressing the importance of “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that Kyiv’s allies would meet in Paris next month to continue discussions on security arrangements and support mechanisms.
The involvement of European partners underscores the broader geopolitical dimensions of the conflict. Any security guarantees or peace agreement will likely depend on a multilateral framework involving both NATO and non-NATO members, reflecting a shared interest in stability in Eastern Europe.
Ongoing Hostilities
Despite diplomatic engagements, military operations continue. On Sunday, Kyiv reported 25 Russian airstrikes, 21 of which were intercepted. Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting 89 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, mainly over the Bryansk region. These ongoing clashes underscore the tenuous nature of peace and the immediate human and strategic stakes of the conflict.
Looking Ahead
Both Zelensky and Trump expressed cautious optimism about reaching a comprehensive peace deal, with Zelensky estimating that 90% of the plan is complete. Yet several critical questions—territorial control, nuclear facility management, and the duration and enforcement of security guarantees—remain unresolved.
Further meetings are expected in early 2026, potentially at the White House and involving European leaders. As the negotiations continue, the international community will be closely watching, recognizing that any agreement will have lasting implications for regional security, global diplomacy, and the stability of international norms in conflict resolution.
The situation remains fluid, and while progress appears possible, the complexities of military, political, and economic considerations make a durable peace a challenging goal.
0 Comments