U.S. Offers Ukraine 15‑Year Security Guarantee as Part of Peace Plan, Zelenskyy Says

In a pivotal development that could reshape the trajectory of the nearly four‑year war in Ukraine, the United States has offered Kyiv a 15‑year security guarantee as part of a proposed peace plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this week. The proposal, discussed during high‑level talks between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar‑a‑Lago in Florida, marks one of the most significant diplomatic initiatives since Russia’s full‑scale invasion began in February 2022. �

Inquirer.com

While both leaders expressed cautious optimism about the peace process, the offer underscores a complex and evolving negotiation dynamic—with Kyiv insisting on stronger, longer‑term assurances and Moscow continuing to oppose terms it views as unfavorable. �

Boston.com

What Is the 15‑Year Security Guarantee?

According to Zelenskyy, the U.S. proposal includes a suite of security guarantees lasting 15 years once a peace agreement is signed—a significant increase in support compared with what Kyiv has received in the past. The guarantee itself is designed to deter future aggression by Russia and provide Ukraine with reassurance that its sovereignty will be respected long after active hostilities cease. �

NBC4 Washington

Although specific operational details of the guarantee have not been publicly disclosed, Zelenskyy has indicated that the deal would encompass mechanisms for monitoring compliance and a tangible “presence” of international partners to help enforce the peace. �

Boston.com

Importantly, any such guarantees would need to be approved by the U.S. Congress and likely by parliamentary bodies in allied states assisting with implementation—highlighting that Washington’s support is conditional on democratic oversight and legislative backing. �

NBC4 Washington

Zelenskyy Seeks More—Up to 50 Years

Despite the historic nature of the U.S. offer, Zelenskyy made clear that he prefers longer, multi‑decade commitments. Drawing comparisons to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense obligations, he has publicly called for security assurances lasting 30, 40, or even 50 years, warning that a shorter deadline might not sufficiently deter future threats from Russia. �

ft.com

From Kyiv’s point of view, a 15‑year term might not be long enough to fully guarantee stability or to ensure that Ukraine is not vulnerable to renewed attempts at aggression once the guarantee expires. Ukrainian officials say enduring protection measures would signal a truly transformative shift in global security architecture for Eastern Europe. �

ft.com

Behind the Peace Talks

The announcement comes amid intense diplomatic momentum. Trump and Zelenskyy met on December 28, 2025, at the U.S. president’s private resort, where they discussed a broad 20‑point peace plan covering ceasefire terms, territorial questions, and postwar reconstruction frameworks. Trump described the talks as “productive” and suggested that both sides were closer than ever to a breakthrough. �

pbs.org

However, disagreements remain, especially around the status of Russian‑occupied territories such as the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions—areas at the heart of both domestic politics and battlefield realities. Russia’s insistence on retaining influence over these regions contrasts with Ukraine’s demand for full territorial integrity, complicating negotiations. �

wsj.com

To complement U.S. engagement, leaders from the “Coalition of the Willing”—a group of more than 30 countries led by the United Kingdom and France—are set to convene meetings in early January, with national security advisers assembling in Ukraine on January 3 and a summit of heads of state in France on January 6. Zelenskyy has welcomed this broader international engagement as essential to solidifying support for Kyiv and any future peace framework. �

Reuters

Russian Reaction and Broader Geopolitics

The diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions on the ground—and in the broader geopolitical arena. Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed Western proposals that do not align with their objectives, such as demands for Ukraine’s neutrality or limits on Russian control over contested areas. �

Reuters

In the days following the U.S.–Ukraine talks, the Kremlin circulated claims—denied by Kyiv—that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, a narrative many Western analysts see as an attempt to derail negotiations. Zelenskyy condemned these allegations as “typical Russian lies” intended to stoke fear and justify further military escalation. �

theguardian.com

Meanwhile, Russian leaders have reiterated their belief that the West should accept Moscow’s dominant position on the battlefield, arguing that control over certain key regions gives them leverage in any final settlement. Such statements reveal that peace negotiations are not taking place in a vacuum but rather against a backdrop of competing narratives and strategic calculations. �

Reuters

What Happens Next?

Even with the U.S. offer on the table, experts caution that securing a durable peace will be far from straightforward. Key sticking points remain: the status of occupied territories, how security guarantees would operate in practice, whether Russia will engage in direct negotiations with Kyiv, and how European allies might shoulder responsibility alongside Washington. �

wsj.com

For many in Ukraine, the central question is not just whether a peace deal can be signed, but whether it will hold in the long term. A 15‑year security guarantee may provide a foundation, but Kyiv’s push for more expansive commitments reflects deep concerns about future threats. Whether the U.S. and other partners will move to meet that demand remains to be seen. �

ft.com

In the meantime, Ukrainian and international officials are preparing for a new round of diplomatic engagement early in 2026—a pivotal moment that may determine whether peace moves from hope to reality.