Security guarantees are not sticking point in US–Ukraine talks - Source
Photo: delegations meeting in Miami (t.me/umerov_rustem)
The US side at the Florida talks reaffirmed its readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, though Washington and Kyiv view the issue from slightly different angles, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
"The Americans see this potential deal not just as an agreement to end the war, which would put a full stop to the armed conflict. They see it from a long-term perspective - that it should secure lasting peace, investment appeal and prosperity. And that would be a success for Trump’s team," the source said.
"They say: we understand that without security guarantees, none of this potential can be realised," he added.
For Ukraine, however, the issue of security guarantees carries a far more existential meaning, the source explained - one tied to the country’s survival and future.
"But it doesn’t matter from which angle you look at it - what matters is that the guarantees are there. And Rubio again confirmed today that there is a commitment to provide them. Were the guarantees discussed in detail today? No. Which is why I would not classify this as one of the problematic issues raised at the talks," he concluded.
Security guarantees and US peace plan
Politico earlier reported that the United States wants to finalise a peace agreement before agreeing to any security guarantees for Ukraine.
Alongside the initial US peace plan, Washington also handed Kyiv a separate document outlining potential guarantees. According to Axios, it envisaged that in the event of a renewed Russian attack, the US and Europe would respond, including, potentially, through the use of military force. Such guarantees would be granted for ten years, with an option to extend.
However, after the Geneva meeting between delegations from Ukraine, the US and Europe, media outlets reported that the initial Washington-Moscow draft had been reduced from 28 points to 19.
The Ukrainian delegation now remains in Florida, trying to defend Kyiv’s core interests. While few details have been disclosed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the dialogue is constructive and that the work will continue.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow today to continue discussions with the Russian side.
