In a recent development, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the United States has proposed a draft peace framework that includes protection pledges for the country covering a period of fifteen years.
Key Aspects of the Plan
The Ukrainian leader indicated that during significant talks with US President President Trump, he had requested long-term defense assurances for up to five decades. However, the current draft envisions a shorter guarantee of one and a half decades from America.
It is not clear what these assurances would entail, but the president has been advocating for "article-5-like" security guarantees, inspired by Nato’s founding principle that aggression towards any member should be seen as an act of war against every member.
Diplomatic Advancements
Zelenskyy has said, Washington's protection assurances for his country under the revised 20-point proposal have been fully agreed upon, whereas Trump was more cautious, putting the figure at more like 95%.
The two presidents affirmed that progress had been made during the discussions in Mar-a-Lago. The US President, nevertheless, warned that there were a couple of challenging unresolved matters, such as those related to land.
Prerequisites for Engagement
In related comments, the Ukrainian President also told reporters that a direct engagement with Moscow would be feasible following the Washington and its European partners reached a consensus on a Ukraine-proposed peace plan to end the war.
This statement comes following Donald Trump remarked to reporters that he thought a meeting involving three parties between Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington could happen when conditions are suitable.
Background of Engagements
The two leaders have not met since over five years ago. Their last meeting, facilitated by the leaders of France and Germany, sought to restart efforts to end the protracted hostilities.
In a later instance, in the spring of 2025, the Russian president declined to attend talks in Turkey for negotiations with Zelenskyy, rejecting a bold proposal to discuss peace in Turkey.
Key Sticking Points
One major point of contention remains the disposition of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. Trump said that a suggestion to turn the region, which is mostly under Russian control, into a demilitarised zone is still not settled.
Trump further commented that it will become clear in a matter of weeks whether the conflict can be concluded.
The leaders have emphasized that the extended negotiations would carry on as they work towards a final resolution to the multi-year war.
