Zelenskyy says no peace deal exists at this time, sets conditions for a valid agreement
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a joint press briefing in Kyiv with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, said that no peace deal exists at this time, emphasizing that such a deal is valid only when signed by leaders and the war has formally ended.
Zelenskyy stressed that peace cannot come at any cost, noting that Ukraine has already paid a high price. He emphasized that peace must be just and durable.
"It is extremely important to have strong security guarantees in place to prevent even the thought or the physical ability to come back to us with aggression," the president said.
He also stated that there is currently no peace deal, as certain conditions must first be met.
"There might not be one. There is no agreement today. It exists only when it is not just on paper but signed by leaders. When the war is stopped," Zelenskyy underlined.
The president referenced the Budapest Memorandum, describing it as a "piece of paper." He explained that the document failed to protect Ukraine.
In this context, Zelenskyy added that any new agreement must include specific responses from the United States and Europe if Russia launches new aggression, including sanctions.
US peace plan
In November, the United States presented a new peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The plan included 28 points and was seen as clearly favorable to Russia.
For this reason, Ukraine, the United States, and Europe have spent over a month finalizing it to make it more favorable to Kyiv and to clearly outline each point.
Based on statements from officials and media leaks, all parties, including Russia, broadly agree on most points. The main sticking points remain territorial issues and security guarantees. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Western partners continue working on a broader framework agreement of 20 points and a post-war reconstruction plan for Ukraine.
Media reports indicate that the United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, but Zelenskyy has previously said he wants US security guarantees for Ukraine to be approved by Congress.
According to Politico, such a US proposal would remain on the table for only "a matter of days." If Ukraine does not agree in the near term, subsequent offers could be less favorable.
