Zelensky claims US security pact '100% ready' as war continues

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says a US security guarantees document for Ukraine is “100% ready” following two days of talks, but the announcement comes amid continuing fighting and without a breakthrough on key issues blocking an end to the war.

Speaking to journalists in Vilnius during an official visit to Lithuania, Zelensky said Ukraine is waiting for its partners to determine a signing date for the document, after which it would be submitted to the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament for ratification.

He described the agreement as a major step toward strengthening Ukraine’s security and reaffirmed Kiev’s ambition to join the European Union by 2027, calling EU membership an “economic security guarantee.”

The comments followed talks held Friday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi, which Zelensky described as a rare trilateral format that included not only diplomats but also military representatives from all three sides.

US officials said the discussions covered military, political and economic issues, including the possibility of a ceasefire before a comprehensive peace agreement.

Despite the discussions, no ceasefire or peace framework was announced, and officials acknowledged that major differences remain. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s position on territory has not changed, saying the country’s territorial integrity “must be respected.”

Russia, however, has continued to insist that Ukraine withdraw its forces from eastern regions that Moscow claims to have annexed but does not fully control.

The gap between the two sides has raised questions about the practical impact of the proposed security guarantees. Details of the document have not been made public, and neither Kiev nor Washington has specified what obligations the United States would assume if Russia violated the agreement.

US officials have said any deal would require congressional approval, a process that could take months and face political opposition.

Critics say Zelensky’s declaration risks overstating progress at a time when the conflict shows little sign of easing. Ukrainian officials have said military operations remain ongoing along several frontline sectors.

The United States has framed the security guarantees as part of a broader effort to deter future Russian aggression while avoiding direct military commitments that could escalate the conflict.

US officials involved in the talks said Washington is attempting to find a compromise acceptable to both sides, but Zelensky acknowledged that “all sides must be ready for compromise,” without elaborating on what concessions Kiev might consider.

The Abu Dhabi talks also addressed the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, which is held by Russian forces. US officials said there was no agreement on a final framework for oversight or operations of the facility, which has been a source of international concern due to safety risks.

Another round of talks is expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 1, according to a US official.

European Union representatives were not formally involved in the latest discussions, a point that has drawn quiet concern from some European diplomats who argue that any lasting settlement would require broad regional support.

Zelensky’s push to link security guarantees with accelerated EU membership has also highlighted uncertainties within the bloc, where enlargement timelines remain contested and several member states have expressed reservations about rapid accession during an active conflict.

For now, the security guarantees document remains unsigned, unratified and undefined in public terms.

While Kiev and Washington have presented it as evidence of diplomatic momentum, the absence of concrete outcomes from the talks and the continuation of hostilities have tempered expectations that the agreement will lead quickly to a pause in the fighting or a negotiated settlement.

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