Zelenskyy Says Washington Security Deal Ready After First Trilateral Military Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that a security guarantees document with the United States has been finalized and is prepared for formal signing. During a media briefing in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he was conducting an official visit, Zelenskyy told reporters that the agreement is “100 per cent ready” and that authorities are awaiting the establishment of a signing date by partner nations. Once signed, the document will proceed through ratification processes in both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.
The completion of this agreement follows intensive trilateral negotiations held over the weekend in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. These talks brought together Ukrainian, Russian, and American delegations in discussions that Zelenskyy described as potentially the first trilateral format in quite a long time that included military representatives alongside diplomatic officials from all three countries. The presence of military personnel suggests that conversations are addressing concrete security arrangements and operational details that would be essential for implementing any potential peace settlement.
While in Lithuania, Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s push for European Union membership, setting 2027 as the target date for accession. He characterized EU membership as an “economic security guarantee” that would complement military security assurances being negotiated with the United States. This comprehensive strategy of pursuing simultaneous military and economic integration with Western institutions represents Ukraine’s approach to ensuring long-term stability through multiple forms of Western institutional connection.
However, Zelenskyy was transparent about the substantial disagreements that persist between Ukrainian and Russian positions on key issues. He stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, stating that this principle “must be respected” in any settlement. This fundamental stance conflicts with Russian demands that have been communicated through various diplomatic channels, including recent extensive discussions between President Putin and American envoys. The Kremlin continues to insist that any peace agreement must include Ukrainian troop withdrawal from eastern territories that Russia has illegally annexed but has not fully captured through military means.
The negotiation process will continue with another round of talks scheduled for February 1 in the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials have revealed that recent Abu Dhabi discussions covered an extensive agenda, addressing both military and economic matters, and even exploring the possibility of implementing a ceasefire before reaching a final comprehensive peace agreement. Among the complex issues that remain unresolved is the establishment of an agreed framework for overseeing and operating 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 positions, achieving peace will require all parties to demonstrate genuine willingness to make difficult concessions.