At a Glance
- US offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee as part of a peace plan
- President Zelenskyy calls for up to 50 years to deter Russia
- Negotiations stalled over troop withdrawals and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
- Russia claims its forces are advancing in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia
- Why it matters: The length and scope of guarantees could shape Ukraine’s future security and the broader regional balance.
The United States has put a 15-year security guarantee on the table for Ukraine, a move that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says is a vital step toward ending the war but also a sign of the fragile state of negotiations.
US-Ukraine Security Guarantees on the Table
President Donald Trump hosted Zelenskyy at his Florida resort Sunday, insisting the two nations are “closer than ever before” to a peace settlement. The offer of a 15-year guarantee is a key element of a proposed 20-point peace plan, though Zelenskyy said he would prefer a commitment of up to 50 years.
- Troop withdrawals: Negotiators are still determining who pulls out where.
- Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Its fate remains unresolved.
- Monitoring and presence: Details include how a deal would be monitored and the presence of partners, though Russia says it will not accept NATO troop deployment.
Russia’s Position and Russian-Western Dynamics
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Monday that Russian troops are advancing in the eastern Donetsk region and pressing offensives in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. He emphasized the need for military buffer zones along Russia’s border.
Putin said:
> “Russian troops are advancing in the eastern Donetsk region and are also pressing their offensive in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin and Trump are expected to speak soon, though there is no indication of a direct conversation with Zelenskyy.
Peskov said:
> “Putin and Trump are expected to speak in the near future.”
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Kyiv’s allies will meet in Paris early January to finalize each country’s concrete contributions to the security guarantees.
| Issue | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Troop withdrawals | Pending | Negotiations ongoing |
| Zaporizhzhia plant | Unresolved | Key point of contention |
| Monitoring & presence | Draft | Russia rejects NATO deployment |
Public Sentiment and International Reactions
Ukrainian veterans and students expressed skepticism about the chances of peace. A 65-year-old veteran, known as Sensei, said Putin’s record shows he cannot be trusted. A 20-year-old student, Denys Shpylovyi, noted that Trump’s willingness to accept Putin’s arguments puts Zelenskyy in a difficult situation but remains hopeful.
Zelenskyy said:
> “This claim is another lie.”
Lavrov said:
> “The drones were destroyed, and there were no casualties or damage.”
According to News Of Fort Worth journalists Vasilisa Stepanenko and Volodymr Yurchuk in Kyiv contributed to this report.
Key Takeaways
- The US offers a 15-year security guarantee, with Zelenskyy pushing for 50 years.
- Negotiations are stalled over troop withdrawals and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
- Russia claims its forces are advancing, while the international community watches closely.
The future of Ukraine’s security hinges on whether the United States and its partners can agree on a lasting guarantee that satisfies both Ukraine’s needs and Russia’s concerns.
