Zelenskyy US Security guarantees announced after high-level talks with Trump

Zelenskyy US security guarantees became a central topic after the Ukrainian president confirmed that Washington agreed to offer Ukraine strong protection for the next 15 years. Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the update after a two-hour meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida.

However, Zelenskyy admitted that negotiations left the future of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region unresolved.

US and Ukraine plan joint approval process

Speaking while returning to Europe, Zelenskyy said both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament would vote on the proposed guarantees. He described the pledges as part of a broader 20-point peace plan discussed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.

Kyiv views the guarantees as essential. Officials believe they would deter future Russian aggression if a peace agreement is reached. Zelenskyy also acknowledged past failures. He said earlier security promises, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, failed to protect Ukraine.

Longer security commitments requested

Details of the US offer remain limited. Trump has already ruled out sending American peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Instead, Zelenskyy said international monitoring missions would provide the strongest form of security. He added that such a presence would reassure Ukrainian citizens after the war.

“We would like guarantees that last much longer,” Zelenskyy said. He told Trump Ukraine prefers commitments of 30, 40, or even 50 years. Trump responded that he would consider the proposal.

Donbas remains a major sticking point

Trump claimed on Sunday that a deal to end the war was closer than ever. Yet both sides remain far apart. On Monday, the Kremlin insisted Ukraine must withdraw its forces from key cities in Donetsk oblast. Russia’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Kyiv risked losing more territory if talks failed.

Peskov declined to comment on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. Russian forces have occupied the site since 2022.

Zelenskyy rejects territorial concessions

Zelenskyy firmly ruled out giving Ukrainian land to Russia. He said Moscow wants to erase Ukraine’s presence entirely.

Instead, he proposed creating a demilitarised zone along the current frontline. Both armies would pull back, and the area would operate as a free economic zone. Zelenskyy said Ukraine could put the plan to a national referendum. That vote would only happen if Russia agreed to a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days. He described a referendum as a powerful expression of the people’s will.

European talks and January follow-up expected

Trump briefed European leaders by video call from Mar-a-Lago on Sunday. Zelenskyy said he plans to meet European officials in the coming days.

He also expects a follow-up meeting with Trump in January. That meeting would likely take place at the White House.

Zelenskyy described Sunday’s talks between the US and Ukrainian delegations as constructive and substantive.

Ukrainians expressed relief that the Florida meeting avoided the tense scenes seen earlier this year in Washington. In February, Trump abruptly dismissed Zelenskyy from the Oval Office.

However, critics challenged Trump’s claim that Russia wants a successful Ukraine. They also noted his refusal to condemn Russia’s large-scale drone attacks on Kyiv over the weekend.

Political scientist Maria Popova described Trump’s remarks as echoing Kremlin narratives. She noted that Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin shortly before meeting Zelenskyy.