Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Sunday that a comprehensive security guarantees agreement with the United States has been fully prepared and stands ready for signing. During a press conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he was conducting an official visit, Zelenskyy told reporters that the document is “100 per cent ready” and that Ukrainian authorities are now awaiting partners to set a formal signing date. Once signed, the agreement will need to undergo ratification processes in both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada.
The readiness of this security document follows intensive trilateral negotiations held over the weekend in Abu Dhabi. These discussions, which began on Friday and continued Saturday, brought together Ukrainian, American, and Russian delegations in what Zelenskyy described as potentially the first trilateral format in quite a long while that included not only diplomatic representatives but also military officials from all three countries. The inclusion of military personnel indicates that discussions are addressing specific security concerns, military deployments, and operational arrangements that would be critical for any lasting peace settlement.
During his Lithuanian visit, Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s determination to achieve European Union membership by 2027, describing this goal as an “economic security guarantee” for the nation. This approach of simultaneously pursuing military security assurances from the United States and economic integration with Europe represents Ukraine’s comprehensive vision for its future. By anchoring itself in Western institutions through multiple channels, Ukraine aims to create an irreversible Western orientation that would ensure stability and prosperity regardless of future political developments.
The Ukrainian president was forthright about the deep disagreements that persist between Ukrainian and Russian positions on fundamental issues. He stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is a red line that “must be respected” in any settlement. This position stands in stark contrast to Russian demands that have been communicated through various diplomatic channels, including recent extensive talks between President Putin and American presidential envoys. The Kremlin continues to maintain that any peace agreement must include Ukrainian troop withdrawal from eastern territories that Russia has illegally annexed but has not fully captured through military operations.
The diplomatic process continues with delegations scheduled to reconvene in the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for further talks. U.S. officials have revealed that recent discussions in Abu Dhabi covered an extensive agenda, addressing both military arrangements and economic matters, and even exploring the possibility of implementing a ceasefire before reaching a final comprehensive peace agreement. However, several complex issues remain unresolved, including the establishment of an agreed framework for managing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is under Russian occupation and is Europe’s largest nuclear facility. Zelenskyy acknowledged that while the United States is working to identify compromise solutions, he emphasized that all parties must be prepared to make concessions if peace is to be achieved.