Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there is no peace agreement today because any real document Kyiv can sign must include clear security guarantees. He also said the United States has proposed a trilateral meeting with Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky underscored the need for a just peace during a joint news conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on December 20. He noted that a real agreement cannot be just “on paper,” as with the Budapest Memorandum.
“Peace is better than war, but not at any price. We have already paid a high price. For us, a just and durable peace matters—one that cannot be broken by another whim of Putin or another Putin. It is very important to have strong security guarantees to rule out even the thought or physical possibility of aggression returning,” the Ukrainian president said.
In his view, an agreement should contain several arrangements with clear security guarantees from the United States and European countries, approved at the political level. The documents should spell out a clear response from partners in the event of renewed Russian aggression, define the stockpiles, strength, and capabilities of Ukraine’s military to deter an attacker, and trigger automatic sanctions against it.
Zelensky also said he does not yet know Washington’s reaction after consultations with Russia. He expects to be briefed by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov by the end of December 20.
“The United States of America said they would hold a separate meeting with representatives of Russia, and they proposed a format, as I understand it, Ukraine–America–Russia. And since there are representatives of Europe, then likely Europe as well. Why ‘likely’? Because it would be logical if such a joint meeting is held. But it’s logical to do it after we understand the outcome of the meeting that has already taken place between the US and Ukraine, whether there is anything positive,” the president said.
On December 16, President Volodymyr Zelensky said talks with the US in Miami would cover specific documents and security guarantees, Ukraine’s economic recovery, and 20 points of a framework agreement.
On December 18, French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be necessary to resume dialogue with Putin if current talks do not deliver a durable peace. He believes Ukraine and Europe should look for the right format to negotiate with Russia.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told the Financial Times that Russia would redeploy troops to NATO’s borders after a peace deal with Ukraine. He said Russian aggression threatens Finland and the Baltic states first and foremost.
