Kyiv and Washington are close to finalizing the agreement on security guarantees, and the European allies plan to coordinate their approaches as early as January. The planned meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States is expected to cover both security and economic issues, as well as the parameters of a peaceful settlement. At the same time, Western capitals are waiting for Russia's reaction to the developed plan. Analysts note that the Kremlin's position remains tough and shows no signs of changing.
The agreement on security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States is almost ready
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saidthat a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the United States on security guarantees is in the final stages of preparation.
According to him, five key documents are currently being worked on, which should ensure peace and post-war security in Ukraine. Zelensky noted that the framework of security guarantees includes both bilateral agreements with the United States and broader formats with the participation of European partners. He emphasized that the document between Kyiv and Washington is actually “on the table”.
At the same time, Zelensky clarified that the final decision on signing will depend on the format and results of his meeting with Donald Trump. He specifically focused on the 20-point peace plan, noting that its signing is possible only with the consent of all parties, including the Europeans and Russia.
“You cannot sign 20 points without Russia, without the Europeans,” the head of state emphasized.
Europe is ready to finally agree on security guarantees for Ukraine in January
Ukraine’s European allies plan to complete the agreement on security guarantees in January after a possible ceasefire. This was reported by a representative of the Elysee Palace in a comment to Euractiv.
According to him, this is a set of measures that should give Ukraine a clear understanding of long-term support from partners. In Paris, it is noted that French President Emmanuel Macron wants the Coalition of the Willing to agree on all the details of support for Ukraine next month.
“Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans agree, and we believe that now Russia must give a clear answer,” the source said.
According to Euractiv, dozens of countries led by France and Great Britain have been preparing various formats of guarantees for Ukraine for several months, including the possible deployment of troops, financial assistance and the supply of weapons. Some of the guarantees, in particular those that depend on the United States, are currently still under discussion.
Zelensky: “I will have a meeting with Trump in Florida on Sunday”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that he will meet with US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday. According to him, the agenda of the negotiations will be broad and will include several key blocks at once. Zelensky noted that the conversation will concern the draft document on the end of the war, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine. He emphasized that it is not about one, but about several interconnected documents.
He plans to pay special attention to the economic agreement between Ukraine and the United States, which currently has basic developments. The president specified that during the meeting he will raise all controversial issues of the peace plan, in particular regarding the territories and management of the ZNPP. The fact of the meeting at the Mar-a-Lago residence was also confirmed by the Axios publication.
The EU should not become completely independent of the United States in defense, - Rutte
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, that the European Union should not completely abandon cooperation with the United States in the defense sector. He emphasized that despite the current course of the administration of US President Donald Trump, transatlantic unity remains key to security.
According to Rutte, Washington expects Europe to take greater responsibility and increase defense spending. At the same time, it is about joint actions, not about breaking up the partnership.
“I am absolutely convinced that the United States fully supports NATO. There is no doubt about that,” the Secretary General of the Alliance said.
He also called one of Trump’s main foreign policy achievements the agreement to increase the allies’ defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Rutte drew attention to the fact that NATO is not only the United States and the EU, and recalled that the 23 European Union countries account for only about a quarter of the Alliance’s total economic potential. Thus, Europe’s security, according to him, should be considered in a broader transatlantic context.
The Kremlin is not interested in settling the war, – ISW analysis
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have concluded that the Kremlin is not demonstrating readiness to end the war and continues to insist on ultimatums. The report notes that these conditions contradict both Ukrainian and Western peace proposals.
“The Kremlin will have to compromise on demands it has long insisted on,” the analysis says.
At the same time, experts emphasize that Moscow is currently not giving any signals of readiness for such compromises.
US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker said that “the ball is now in Russia’s court (ed.)” after four documents were developed within the framework of negotiations between the US, Ukraine and Europe. ISW notes that significant losses of Russian troops do not force the Kremlin to change its position.
Analysts also recalled the statements of Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov and the repetition of demands voiced back in 2022.
“the Kremlin has repeatedly made demands that are incompatible with many of the proposals of the 20-point plan,” the Institute for the Study of War concluded.
Photo: The Inderendent
Author: Danylo Pievchev