Ukraine and US discussing duration of security guarantees - Zelenskyy

According to Zelenskyy, the first guarantee is the Ukrainian army, numbering 800,000 soldiers. Ukraine is expected to finance this army with financial assistance from its partners.

The second guarantee, the president added, is Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. This primarily involves economic security guarantees and access to markets. There is also a military component in the form of the European rearmament program SAFE and other programs opened up by EU membership.

The third security guarantee is the Coalition of the Willing. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine will discuss with its allies what constitutes a "backstop." It is expected that forces under European leadership will ensure Ukraine’s security in the air, on land, and at sea. The coalition will include 30 countries.

The president emphasized that the fourth guarantees come from the US. They are expected to be legally binding, with approval anticipated from Congress.

According to Zelenskyy, in this way, the new guarantees will differ significantly from the Budapest Memorandum, the Minsk agreements, or any other previous arrangements.

"We are discussing how many years they could last, with the possibility of extending these security guarantees in the same format in which they are adopted," the head of state added.

A deterrence package is also planned, which involves arming Ukrainian defenders.

Duration of guarantees

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and the US have not yet discussed the duration of security guarantees.

At the same time, the Ukrainian leader insists that the US Congress must vote to approve the security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said last week that Ukraine is "90% satisfied" with the security guarantees from Europe.