Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that a long-awaited security guarantee agreement with the United States is “essentially ready” for finalization, following intensive discussions with US President Donald Trump. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, which has rejected recent proposals for European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Zelenskyy emphasized that the document represents a cornerstone of any potential settlement to end the nearly four-year conflict. The security guarantees would legally commit Washington and other Western allies to support Ukraine in the event of a future Russian invasion.

“The bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine is now essentially ready for finalization at the highest level with the president,” Zelenskyy wrote, highlighting the progress made during the Paris talks with American and European negotiators.

Paris Talks Address Key Settlement Frameworks

The negotiations in Paris, which included teams from the US, France, and the United Kingdom, focused on resolving complex issues related to ending the war. The Ukrainian delegation presented detailed proposals aimed at securing legally binding protections against renewed Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy noted that Washington intends to engage Moscow directly, seeking clarity on whether Russia is genuinely prepared to negotiate an end to hostilities. The US has indicated that any agreement reached with Kyiv would be presented to Russia as part of its diplomatic efforts to broker peace.

While the general framework of the guarantees has been shared publicly, specific details—such as how allies would respond if Russia attacks again—remain undisclosed. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has not yet received a clear commitment from its partners on these contingencies.

Russia Rejects European Peacekeeper Plan

The announcement comes in the wake of Russian objections to a parallel initiative for European peacekeepers in Ukraine. During the Paris talks, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a declaration of intent with Zelenskyy, outlining a potential deployment of troops after a ceasefire.

Russia immediately denounced the proposal. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described it as “dangerous” and “militaristic,” warning that peacekeeping forces would be considered legitimate military targets.

“The new militarist declarations of the so-called Coalition of the Willing and the Kyiv regime together form a genuine ‘axis of war,’” Zakharova stated, reiterating warnings previously made by President Vladimir Putin. Moscow has consistently opposed the presence of NATO members on Ukrainian soil.

Escalating Attacks on Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure

Amid ongoing diplomatic developments, Ukraine has faced renewed missile strikes on critical energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy called for sustained pressure on Russia from international supporters, asserting that these attacks indicate Moscow’s unwillingness to reconsider its strategic priorities.

The strikes disrupted power and heating for hundreds of thousands of households in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions. Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov described the situation as a “national level emergency,” with hospitals relying on backup generators and schools extending holidays. Ukrainian energy company DTEK reported that around 600,000 households remained without electricity.

“It is necessary that pressure on Russia continues to increase at the same intensity as the work of our negotiating teams,” Zelenskyy stressed.

Key Takeaways

• US-Ukraine security guarantee is nearly finalized; Trump expected to finalize the agreement.
• Paris talks included discussions on peace frameworks and potential European peacekeepers.
• Russia rejects European peacekeeper plan, labeling it militaristic and threatening potential attacks.
• Renewed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure underscore ongoing risks despite diplomatic efforts.
• Ukraine continues to seek legally binding commitments from Western allies to deter future Russian aggression.

As negotiations continue, the world watches closely to see if a combination of security guarantees and diplomatic pressure can pave the way for a ceasefire and a long-term resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.