End date for war depends on strong security guarantees — Zelenskyy
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Specific security guarantees for Ukraine could create the conditions to set a clear date for ending the war, which continues not only on Ukrainian territory but also poses a threat to the entire European continent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a visit to Lithuania.
The Ukrainian leader states that the key element for Ukraine is bilateral security guarantees with the US. The relevant document is already prepared, and Ukraine is awaiting its partners' readiness to give it the proper status for signing.
"The document is 100% ready. We are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place for signing. After that, the document will go to ratification in the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament, according to our agreements," he said.
According to President Zelenskyy, the second element of Ukraine's security guarantees involves European guarantees, including through the Coalition of the Willing and Ukraine's future membership in the European Union.
He also highlighted the importance of economic security guarantees and clear EU integration timelines. According to him, Ukraine will be technically ready to open all negotiation clusters with the EU in the first half of 2026 and fully complete the process by 2027.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks to enshrine a specific end date for the war in a formal agreement so that all parties, including Russia, are legally obliged to adhere to the terms and to prevent future blockages of the process.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
In early January, the Ukrainian President said the bilateral security guarantees document with the US is nearly finalized, and the next step is to finalize it at the highest level.
On January 13, he noted that Ukraine continues working with the US on security and recovery guarantees, highlighting the possibility of signing the agreements soon. He also said the documents will require legal ratification by the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament.
Also, Zelenskyy said he plans to seek clarity on the duration of the security guarantees directly during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
