Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Monday that the United States has proposed offering Ukraine security guarantees lasting for 15 years as part of a potential peace settlement to end the war with Russia. However, Zelenskyy expressed his preference for a much longer American commitment, stretching up to 50 years, which he believes is necessary to effectively deter future Russian aggression.
Trump Hosts Zelenskyy, Hints at Progress
The announcement followed a meeting between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the latter's Florida resort on Sunday. President Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia are now "closer than ever before" to reaching a peace agreement. Despite this optimistic note, he cautioned that the months-long, U.S.-led negotiations could still fall apart. The talks continue to grapple with critical unresolved issues, including the specifics of military withdrawals from contested territories and the future status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of the ten largest nuclear facilities globally.
Details of Security Guarantees and Referendum Plan
While the precise details of the proposed security guarantees have not been made public, President Zelenskyy indicated they encompass provisions for monitoring a potential peace deal and the "presence" of international partners. He did not elaborate further, but this point is contentious as Russia has repeatedly stated it will not accept the deployment of troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump are expected to speak soon, but there was no sign of an impending dialogue between Putin and Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy emphasized the indispensable role of these guarantees, telling reporters via WhatsApp voice messages, "Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end." He also stated his desire for the 20-point peace plan under discussion to be ratified by the Ukrainian people through a national referendum. However, conducting such a vote legally requires a ceasefire of at least 60 days, a condition currently unmet as Moscow has shown no willingness to agree to a truce without a comprehensive final settlement.
International Coordination and Congressional Approval
According to Zelenskyy, President Trump indicated he would consider extending the U.S. security guarantees beyond the initial 15-year period. Any such guarantees would require formal approval not only from the U.S. Congress but also from the parliaments of other nations involved in overseeing the peace settlement. In a related development, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Kyiv's allies will convene in Paris in early January to finalize concrete contributions from each country towards these security assurances.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and supported separatist forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The proposed security guarantees represent a pivotal attempt to forge a durable peace and prevent future hostilities.
