US offered Ukraine 15-year security guarantee
Table of Contents
- Background: US-Ukraine Peace Talks Resume
- 15-Year Security Guarantee Offer Explained
- Unresolved Issues: Territory and Nuclear Plant
- Russia’s Position and Global Reactions
- What Happens Next in the Peace Process
Background: US-Ukraine Peace Talks Resume
The United States has offered Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee as part of ongoing peace negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The proposal emerged during talks with US President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
President Zelensky told reporters that discussions around a revised peace plan were progressing quickly, with an overall agreement believed to be around 90% complete. Trump echoed that optimism, stating that negotiations were “close to 95%” finished.
The renewed diplomatic push comes as Washington seeks to broker an end to the conflict while balancing security concerns for Kyiv and geopolitical realities involving Moscow.
15-Year Security Guarantee Offer Explained
According to Zelensky, one of the most significant developments in the talks is the US offer of security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years. He stressed that such guarantees are essential to ensure lasting peace and prevent renewed Russian aggression.
“Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over,” Zelensky said, warning that Ukraine would remain vulnerable without long-term protection. He added that he hopes the US will consider extending the guarantees to 30, 40, or even 50 years.
Reuters reported that Zelensky wants the security guarantees to take effect immediately after Ukraine signs a peace deal. While Washington has not publicly confirmed the exact time frame, Trump said he expects European allies to shoulder much of the responsibility, with US backing.
Unresolved Issues: Territory and Nuclear Plant
Despite progress, two major issues remain unresolved: territorial control and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, remains under Russian control and is seen as a critical bargaining point.
Moscow currently controls around 75% of Ukraine’s Donetsk region and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk, collectively known as Donbas. Trump acknowledged that negotiations over Donbas remain difficult but said the sides are “getting a lot closer.”
Ukraine has proposed turning parts of the contested territory into a free economic zone policed by Ukrainian forces. Zelensky has insisted that any final decision on territory must involve the Ukrainian people, potentially through a national referendum US offered Ukraine 15-year security guarantee.
Russia’s Position and Global Reactions
Russia has previously rejected key elements of the peace plan, but Kremlin officials now say that an agreement may be within reach. Russian state media quoted a Kremlin spokesman agreeing with Trump’s assessment that peace is closer than before.
However, Moscow remains firmly opposed to a temporary ceasefire. Russian officials argue that a short-term pause would only prolong the conflict, a position Trump said he understood following a phone call with President Vladimir Putin.
European leaders have cautiously welcomed the progress. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised “good progress” in the talks while stressing the need for “ironclad security guarantees.” French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine’s allies will meet in Paris next month to further discuss security arrangements.
Continued fighting underscores the urgency of the talks, with both sides launching drone and air strikes even as negotiations advance.
What Happens Next in the Peace Process
Zelensky has proposed that any peace agreement be put to a referendum in Ukraine, contingent on a 60-day ceasefire. Russia, however, does not support such a pause, complicating the path forward.
Trump has suggested the possibility of trilateral talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine at “the right time.” He also warned that if negotiations collapse, the war could drag on even longer.
Meanwhile, military operations continue. Ukraine reported dozens of Russian airstrikes overnight, while Moscow claimed it intercepted nearly 90 Ukrainian drones. These developments highlight how fragile the situation remains, even as diplomats push toward a potential breakthrough.
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By The News Update— Updated December 29, 2025
