Zelensky urges Trump to provide security guarantees for 50 years

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed details of backstage negotiations with Donald Trump regarding security agreements and the subsequent plan of action.

The Ukrainian leader announced that Kyiv is insisting on a significant extension of the term for US security guarantees—up to half a century—and also announced an intensive diplomatic marathon in January, which is intended to precede contacts with Moscow.

Zelensky commented to journalists on the results of his visit to the US while in transit.

Zelensky proposed that Trump provide Ukraine with security guarantees for 50 years
The main issue of the negotiations was the duration of Washington’s security commitments. According to Zelensky, the Kyiv and Trump teams, and subsequently the leaders of the states, confirmed the existence of strong security guarantees.

However, the White House currently proposes fixing them for 15 years with the possibility of further extension. The Trump administration also warns: if an agreement is not reached today, these proposals might disappear. Zelensky put forward a counter-initiative, arguing this based on the duration of Russian aggression.

“I raised this issue with the President

. I told him that our war is still going on, and it has been almost 15 years. Therefore, we would really like the guarantees to be longer. I told him that we would very much like to consider the possibility of 30, 40, 50 years. And that would then be a historic decision by President Trump,” Zelensky said. According to him, Trump replied that he “would think” about this proposal.

Trump discussed all 20 points of the peace plan with Putin
Zelensky also commented on the communication between Trump and the Kremlin. He confirmed that Trump had a lengthy conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The main outcome of this conversation was that the leaders of the US and Russia went through the so-called “20-point plan.”

“He

discussed all 20 points of the plan, point by point, and I thanked him for that. It is important that we are all in the same context and that they were discussing this specific document, and not some other documents,” the President of Ukraine noted.

Trump conveyed information to Zelensky regarding what Putin is allegedly ready to agree to. Zelensky refrained from disclosing details but expressed skepticism regarding the Kremlin’s sincerity, warning Trump against any disinformation. “It is very important for us that words match actions. This is not the first time Putin says one thing but does another,” he said.

Meeting of advisors from the US and Europe in Ukraine: What is known
Zelensky outlined the order of actions for the near future. The strategy involves several stages. A meeting of security advisors is due to take place in the coming days. Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov has already held talks with American and European colleagues. Zelensky insists that this final meeting take place in Ukraine.

After the advisors prepare the documents, a meeting in a wider format is planned: European leaders (the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”) will meet with Ukraine. Zelensky has already discussed this with French President Emmanuel Macron and other partners.

Following the coordination of their positions, a joint meeting is planned with Trump and European leaders. “We are all serious about ensuring these meetings I told you about take place in January. And after that, I think, if everything goes step by step, then after that there will be a meeting in one format or another with the Russians,” Volodymyr Zelensky summarized, confirming readiness for negotiations in the appropriate formats.

Zelensky named the conditions for ending martial law in Ukraine
The lifting of martial law in Ukraine and, consequently, the opening of borders for men of conscription age is possible only if Ukraine is granted effective security guarantees.

According to Zelensky, receiving these guarantees, rather than simply a ceasefire, will be the signal of the real end of the war. The Head of State emphasized that everyone strives for the end of the war, which will automatically lead to the termination of martial law. However, he made an important clarification: the legal and factual end of the war is impossible without a security foundation.

“The end of martial law will come at the moment when security guarantees appear in Ukraine. Without security guarantees, this war has not really ended. We cannot recognize that it has ended,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky explained this position by citing the risks based on Ukraine’s proximity to Russia. According to him, without clear safeguards, there is a high probability of repeated aggression, which is why Ukraine devotes so much time to discussing guarantees that must include monitoring of the situation and the direct presence of its partners. Zelensky outlined the mechanism by which the transition to peace should take place.

Kyiv is determined that the receipt of security guarantees should happen simultaneously with the signing of the final documents on ending the war. This involves agreeing on the so-called “20 points for ending the war” with the participation of all parties: Ukraine, American and European partners, as well as representatives of the Russian Federation.

“I am very determined that at this moment

, we simultaneously receive the security guarantee. That is, we will not waste time. And the moment we receive them, it will be a signal to us all that the war is over,” Zelensky noted. In addition to the diplomatic track, the decision to lift martial law will also depend on the position of the Defense Forces.

Zelensky noted that the timeline for returning to peacetime norms, including border crossings, will be adjusted, which incorporates the opinion of the military leadership. “Undoubtedly, these terms will also be influenced by the understanding and position of the command of our

. We discuss this at the Staff meetings. They must say that all the infrastructure is ready for this, in order to lift martial law,” Zelensky said.

Negotiations at Mar-a-Lago
According to statements from Kyiv and the Trump Administration, work on the framework agreement is approximately 90% complete (most of the 20 points have been agreed upon). However, disagreements remain regarding the final 5-10%, which concern specific details. The Ukrainian side claims 100% agreement on guarantees, while Trump assesses readiness at 95%.

The main issue concerns the distribution of responsibility: Kyiv insists on direct guarantees from the US, while the White House emphasizes the need for more active involvement of European countries in ensuring defense and financing the security architecture.

The parties did not achieve a breakthrough regarding the status of the occupied territories. For the first time at such a level, Zelensky voiced the thesis that territorial issues cannot be resolved solely by the leaders of the states.

Also, Trump characterizes Russia’s actions regarding the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant) as “cooperation,” arguing this based on the absence of missile strikes on the facility itself. Ukraine rejects such an assessment, insisting that it is an occupation. New working groups have been formed for further negotiations, specifically, directly with Russia.

On the White House side, key roles will be played by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as well as Team Trump associates – son-in-law Jared Kushner and former real estate mogul Steve Witkoff.