Zelenskyy Says Security Agreement With America Awaits Signature After UAE Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Sunday that a security guarantees document with the United States has been fully prepared and stands ready for formal signing. Making the announcement during his visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy told journalists that the agreement is “100 per cent ready” and that Ukrainian authorities are now waiting for partners to establish a signing date. Once signed, the document will need to be ratified by legislative bodies in both the United States and Ukraine.
The completion of this agreement follows intensive diplomatic efforts that culminated in two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. These discussions brought together Ukrainian, American, and Russian delegations in what Zelenskyy described as likely the first trilateral format in quite some time that included military representatives alongside diplomatic officials from all three nations. The presence of military personnel indicates that conversations are addressing specific security arrangements, deployments, and operational details that would be critical components of any lasting peace agreement.
During his Lithuanian appearance, Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s determination to join the European Union by 2027, characterizing this membership as an “economic security guarantee” for the nation. This strategy of simultaneously pursuing military security from the United States and economic integration with Europe represents Ukraine’s comprehensive approach to ensuring its future. By embedding itself in Western institutions through multiple channels, Ukraine aims to create permanent ties that would guarantee its stability and Western orientation regardless of future political changes.
The Ukrainian president acknowledged that fundamental disagreements persist between Ukrainian and Russian positions on key issues. Most critically, the question of territorial integrity remains a major obstacle, with Zelenskyy firmly insisting that Ukraine’s borders “must be respected” in any settlement. This position stands in direct opposition to Russian demands that have been communicated through various channels, including recent extensive discussions between President Putin and American presidential envoys. The Kremlin maintains that any peace deal requires Ukrainian troop withdrawal from eastern territories that Russia has illegally annexed but has not fully captured militarily.
The negotiation process will continue with delegations scheduled to return to the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for additional talks. U.S. officials have revealed that recent Abu Dhabi discussions covered an extensive agenda, addressing both military and economic matters, and even exploring the possibility of implementing a ceasefire before reaching a final comprehensive peace agreement. However, several complex issues remain without resolution, including the development of an agreed framework for overseeing and operating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is under Russian occupation and is Europe’s largest nuclear facility. Zelenskyy noted that while the United States is actively working to find compromise solutions, achieving lasting peace will require all parties to demonstrate willingness to make difficult concessions.