Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that a comprehensive security guarantees agreement with the United States is fully prepared and awaiting a signing ceremony. The declaration came during his official visit to Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, where he addressed journalists about the recent diplomatic developments. Zelenskyy emphasized that all parties are now waiting for partners to establish a formal date for the signing, after which the document will proceed through the necessary ratification processes in both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.
The announcement follows two days of intensive negotiations held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which brought together representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. According to Zelenskyy, these discussions marked a significant milestone as the first trilateral format in considerable time that included not only diplomatic officials but also military representatives from all three nations. The talks aimed at finding pathways to end Russia’s full-scale invasion, which has now continued for nearly four years.
During his remarks in Vilnius, Zelenskyy also highlighted Ukraine’s ambitious timeline for European Union membership, targeting 2027 as the goal for accession. He characterized EU membership as an essential “economic security guarantee” for Ukraine’s future stability and prosperity. This dual approach of seeking both military security guarantees from the U.S. and economic integration with Europe represents Ukraine’s comprehensive strategy for ensuring long-term security and development.
However, Zelenskyy acknowledged that substantial differences remain between Ukrainian and Russian negotiating positions. He firmly stated that Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains non-negotiable, saying “Our position regarding our territory — Ukraine’s territorial integrity — must be respected.” This stance directly conflicts with Russian demands that Ukraine withdraw from eastern territories that Russia has illegally annexed but not fully captured. The territorial dispute continues to be the primary obstacle in peace negotiations.
Looking ahead, negotiators are scheduled to reconvene in the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for the next round of talks. According to U.S. officials, the recent discussions covered extensive military and economic matters, including the possibility of implementing a ceasefire before reaching a final agreement. Among the unresolved issues is the framework for oversight and operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which remains under Russian occupation. Zelenskyy noted that while the U.S. is working to find compromise solutions, all parties must demonstrate willingness to make concessions for peace to be achieved.