Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the United States has proposed security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years, while Ukraine is advocating for a longer commitment of at least 20 years.
During a press briefing at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky emphasized the importance of extended security assurances for attracting foreign investment. He noted, “We had meetings with senators today. We are very keen to increase the duration of security guarantees to make them more effective for investors. Currently, there is a proposal from the American side for 15 years. We want 20 years, plus 30 or even 50. We will see what the administration and Congress are willing to agree to.”
Zelensky also highlighted that securing these guarantees is crucial for concluding the ongoing conflict. He remarked, “Among all the documents necessary to end the war, security guarantees for Ukraine must be signed first.”
The President conveyed that the United States has expressed a desire to achieve peace as swiftly as possible, stating, “They want this more than the Russians do. We see their eagerness to finalize all documents together. When they mentioned this, I openly said that I believe it is better to sign security guarantees first, as this would be beneficial for Ukraine and build trust among all parties involved.”
Despite the trust Ukrainians have in the United States, Zelensky acknowledged the ongoing threat from Russian attacks, saying, “For four years, people have been under fire, and no one can put an end to this war.” He reiterated the need for security guarantees to provide hope for the future, asserting, “This is my position. However, not everything depends on us.”
On February 13, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced that he had received information from the United States regarding its readiness to ratify security guarantees in Congress. Earlier, on January 25, Zelensky had indicated that a bilateral security guarantee document from the U.S. was fully prepared, stating that such guarantees are essential for both ending the current conflict and preventing future hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for extended U.S. security guarantees, seeking a commitment of at least 20 years to bolster investor confidence. He emphasized the urgency of securing these assurances as a prerequisite for concluding the ongoing conflict with Russia.