Zelenskyy says US security agreement for Ukraine is ready to sign

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that a U.S. security guarantees agreement for Ukraine is “100% ready” and waiting for partners to set a signing date. Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Zelenskyy said the document would go to the U.S. Congress and Ukrainian parliament for ratification once a date is established. The announcement followed two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

The talks signify continued diplomatic momentum toward ending Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though fundamental disagreements over territory persist as the Kremlin demands Ukrainian withdrawal from annexed eastern areas it has not fully captured.

Trilateral Talks on Track

Zelenskyy described the talks in Abu Dhabi as a significant format. “The talks were likely the first trilateral format in ‘quite a long while’ that included not only diplomats but military representatives from all three sides,” he said, speaking to journalists in Vilnius after the Friday-through-Saturday negotiations.

Territorial Integrity Remains the Sticking Point

Ukrainian territorial integrity emerged as the central disagreement between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy reaffirmed that the matter is non-negotiable. “Our position regarding our territory — Ukraine’s territorial integrity — must be respected,” he said.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the fundamental differences. “The U.S. is trying to find a compromise,” he said, “but all sides must be ready for compromise.”

Russia’s Demand

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a potential settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during marathon talks Thursday evening. The Kremlin’s position is clear: any peace agreement requires Ukrainian forces to withdraw from eastern territories Russia illegally annexed but has not fully captured.

Economic and Strategic Goals

Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s push for European Union membership by 2027, calling it an “economic security guarantee” to complement the U.S. security guarantees.

The talks covered a broad range of military and economic matters. Negotiators discussed the possibility of a ceasefire taking effect before a final peace framework is agreed, though no deal has been reached on that question.

Unresolved Issues

One major outstanding matter remains unresolved: there is not yet an agreement on a final framework for oversight and operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which is currently occupied by Russian forces.

The negotiating parties will return to the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for the next round of talks.