Zelenskyy Says U.S. Protection Agreement Finalized, Awaits Signing Date

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Sunday that a security guarantees document with the United States is now “100 percent ready” for signing, marking a potential breakthrough in Ukraine’s quest for long-term security assurances. Speaking from Vilnius during a state visit to Lithuania, Zelenskyy told reporters that Ukrainian officials are currently waiting for partner countries to designate an appropriate date for the signing ceremony. Following the signing, the agreement must go through ratification procedures in both the United States Congress and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada.
This development emerges from intensive diplomatic efforts that culminated in two days of talks in Abu Dhabi, bringing together Ukrainian, American, and Russian delegations. Zelenskyy characterized these discussions as potentially the first trilateral negotiating format in “quite a long while” that involved military officials in addition to diplomatic representatives from all three countries. The inclusion of military personnel suggests that substantive discussions about security arrangements and military aspects of a potential settlement are taking place, moving beyond purely diplomatic rhetoric.
During his Lithuanian appearance, Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraine’s determination to join the European Union by 2027, describing this membership as a crucial “economic security guarantee” for the nation. This dual-track approach of securing military guarantees from the United States while simultaneously pursuing European economic integration represents Ukraine’s comprehensive vision for its future. The strategy aims to bind Ukraine to Western institutions through multiple channels, making the country’s Western orientation irreversible regardless of future political changes.
Despite the progress on the U.S. security agreement, Zelenskyy was frank about the deep divisions that remain between Ukrainian and Russian positions in peace negotiations. He stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not up for discussion, stating firmly that this principle “must be respected.” This red line directly contradicts Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position, as conveyed through recent discussions with U.S. envoys. The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from eastern territories that Russia has illegally annexed, even though Russian forces have not succeeded in fully capturing these regions.
The negotiation process continues with plans for delegations to return to the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for further discussions. According to American officials familiar with the talks, recent meetings addressed an extensive agenda covering both military and economic issues. Participants even explored the possibility of implementing a ceasefire before reaching a final comprehensive agreement. However, several complex issues remain unresolved, including the establishment of an agreed framework for overseeing and operating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Russian forces have occupied since early in the conflict. Zelenskyy acknowledged that while the United States is actively working to identify compromise solutions, all parties involved must demonstrate readiness to make difficult concessions if peace is to be achieved.