The United States has proposed a security guarantee for Ukraine that would last for 15 years, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a meeting on Sunday at his Florida resort, US President Donald Trump emphasized the potential for peace between Ukraine and Russia, stating they are “closer than ever before” to reaching a settlement. Zelensky, however, expressed a preference for a longer commitment, suggesting a span of up to 50 years to deter further Russian aggression.
Negotiations are ongoing, with key issues still to be resolved. These include the withdrawal of forces from contested areas and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is among the largest in the world. Trump acknowledged the fragility of the US-led discussions, indicating that they could still collapse.
In a series of voice messages sent to reporters via a WhatsApp chat, Zelensky stated, “Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end.” The conflict, which began in 2014 following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the uprising of Moscow-backed separatists in the Donbas region, has continued to escalate.
Details regarding the proposed security guarantees have not been disclosed publicly. However, Zelensky indicated that the guarantees would outline how a potential peace deal would be monitored and include the “presence” of partner nations. He refrained from providing further specifics, particularly regarding troop deployments from NATO countries, which Russia has opposed.
Amid these developments, the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump were expected to speak soon, but there was no indication that a conversation between Putin and Zelensky would occur. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine’s allies would convene in Paris in early January 2024 to finalize their contributions to the security guarantees.
According to Zelensky, Trump has expressed openness to extending US security guarantees for Ukraine beyond the initial 15 years. The approval of these guarantees would require the support of the US Congress and the parliaments of other countries involved in the peace process.
Zelensky also mentioned a desire for the proposed 20-point peace plan to be put to a national referendum in Ukraine. However, executing a ballot would necessitate a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days, a condition that Moscow has shown little willingness to meet without a complete settlement of issues at hand.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hopeful for a resolution that brings lasting peace to the region.
