Ukraine peace talks advance as US offers 15-year security guarantees; Zelensky seeks longer support. Key issues and future prospects discussed.

news, Ukraine, US security guarantees, Zelensky, Trump, Donbas, Russia, peace talks, international relations

US Offers Ukraine Security Guarantees in Ongoing Peace Talks

By Bernd Debusmann Jr, Washington DC and Harry Sekulich

The United States has offered security guarantees to Ukraine for 15 years during recent peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida, focusing on a revised peace plan. While President Trump noted that an agreement is “close to 95%” complete, Zelensky has stated his desire for guarantees lasting up to 50 years.

With territorial issues and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant still unresolved, the future of Ukraine’s contested Donbas region remains unclear. Despite Russia’s previous rejection of crucial aspects of the plan, a statement via news agency TASS suggested the Kremlin agrees that peace may be drawing closer.

Key Progress: US Security Guarantees for Ukraine

Following their meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Zelensky reiterated his belief that “an overall peace agreement is 90% finished”. Significant headway has been made on security guarantees, with both leaders expressing optimism. Zelensky emphasized that real peace is impossible without robust, long-term guarantees, stating he hopes the US security guarantees will come into effect immediately after a peace deal is signed.

“Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over. We cannot acknowledge that it has ended, because with such a neighbour there remains a risk of renewed aggression,” explained Zelensky. The Ukrainian president has urged the US to consider extending these guarantees to 30, 40, or even 50 years.

President Trump suggested an agreement is imminent and expects European allies to play a substantial role in this effort. The US, however, has not yet commented publicly on extending the guarantee timeframe.

Unresolved Issues: Territories and Nuclear Plant

Two prominent issues remain in the peace negotiations: the status of occupied territories, and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, situated deep in Russian-occupied land. At present, Russia controls about 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk—collectively known as Donbas.

According to Trump, a deal on Donbas is “unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer.” Negotiators face ongoing challenges, as Russia declines to compromise on its full control ambitions in Donbas. The Kremlin continues to insist Ukraine should withdraw from areas it still administers. By contrast, Kyiv suggests the region could become a free economic zone, policed by Ukrainian forces, and insists that any decision should involve a public referendum.

President Trump’s stance on the issue has varied, including a brief period where he suggested Ukraine could retake lost territories, before reversing his remarks.

The Future of the Peace Process

Trump has suggested that at the right moment, trilateral talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine may occur. Both Zelensky and European leaders have shown intent to pursue further high-level talks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised progress and reaffirmed the necessity of “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine, while French President Emmanuel Macron announced an upcoming Paris summit to discuss further support.

For an overview on past negotiations and context, read our article on Ukraine conflict peace efforts.

Referendum and Ceasefire Complexities

President Zelensky has proposed that any peace agreement should be validated via a national referendum, which would require a 60-day ceasefire. However, Russia remains opposed to such a pause, fearing it could prolong the conflict rather than resolve it. This matter was reportedly discussed in a recent call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with both leaders skeptical that a ceasefire would bring meaningful progress.

Violence Continues Despite Talks

As diplomatic discussions proceeded, violence continued in Ukraine. Kyiv reported that Russian forces carried out 25 airstrikes on Sunday, with 21 intercepted. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the destruction of 89 Ukrainian UAVs, predominantly over the Bryansk region.

What Lies Ahead?

The coming weeks will be critical for US security guarantees for Ukraine and the wider peace process. The outcome will depend on resolving territorial disputes, securing meaningful international security commitments, and garnering support from both the global community and the Ukrainian public. Continued violence underlines the urgency of a durable agreement, as leaders work to end the conflict.

For authoritative updates on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, refer to the Reuters Europe coverage.

---

Source link