During a press briefing in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed on Sunday that a security guarantees agreement with the United States designed to support Ukraine is "100% ready" for formalization. This declaration followed intensive discussions spanning two days that engaged delegates from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
Zelenskyy noted the next procedural step is contingent upon allied partners selecting a date for the signing, which will then trigger a legislative review process involving both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliament for ratification. The statement reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen framework agreements on Ukraine's security amidst the enduring conflict with Russia.
Further emphasizing Ukraine’s forward-looking strategy, the president underscored a national goal of securing European Union membership by 2027, describing this objective as critical to ensuring economic stability and security for the country.
The recent meetings occurred in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, marking what Zelenskyy characterized as perhaps the first combined military and diplomatic trilateral engagement among Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in a significant period. The talks, which commenced Friday and extended through Saturday, are part of a series aimed at finding diplomatic pathways to end Russia’s broad military campaign launched almost four years ago.
Despite progress in dialogue, Zelenskyy acknowledged enduring fundamental divergences between Ukraine and Russia, particularly surrounding territorial integrity. He highlighted that Ukrainian sovereignty and respect for internationally recognized borders remain non-negotiable pillars guiding Ukraine’s position in negotiations.
In parallel diplomatic developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged with envoys from the United States, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in extended discussions on Thursday. Official Kremlin statements reiterated that any peace settlement would require a Ukrainian military withdrawal from regions in eastern Ukraine that Russia previously annexed through unrecognized referenda but has not fully controlled.
Zelenskyy remarked that the United States is actively seeking pathways toward compromise in the peace process, while emphasizing the necessity for all stakeholders to approach negotiations with a willingness to make concessions.
A U.S. government official confirmed that negotiators plan to reconvene in the UAE on February 1 for further discussions. The latest rounds of talks have encompassed an extensive array of topics related to military and economic dimensions of the conflict, including preliminary dialogue on implementing a ceasefire prior to reaching an overarching peace agreement.
One particularly contentious issue remains the future status and governance of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in Ukraine but currently occupied by Russian forces. As Europe’s largest nuclear facility, its oversight and operational arrangements did not reach conclusive agreement during these latest sessions.