Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that a document outlining U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine is "100% ready." This statement came after two days of negotiations that included representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine is now awaiting a date for the signing of this document, after which it will be sent to both the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament for ratification.
During his press conference in Vilnius, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's ambition to gain European Union membership by 2027, framing it as an "economic security guarantee." He characterized the recent talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as significant due to their trilateral format, which involved not only diplomats but also military representatives from all three countries. These discussions were part of ongoing efforts to bring an end to Russia's nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the existence of fundamental differences between the positions of Ukraine and Russia, with territorial integrity being a critical sticking point in negotiations. He emphasized that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial claims must be respected, stating, "Our position regarding our territory—Ukraine's territorial integrity—must be respected."
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in talks with U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner late Thursday. According to statements from the Kremlin, a peace agreement requires Ukraine to withdraw its troops from regions in eastern Ukraine that Russia has illegally annexed, yet remains partially occupied.
While Zelenskyy indicated that the U.S. is making efforts to broker a compromise, he stressed that "all sides must be ready for compromise." Reflecting on the discussions, a U.S. official announced that negotiators would reconvene in the UAE on February 1 for the next round of dialogues. The talks reportedly covered various military and economic issues, including the potential for a ceasefire prior to reaching a comprehensive deal. However, there was no consensus reached on the overall framework for the oversight and operation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains under Russian occupation and is the largest nuclear facility in Europe.
