Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump has offered Ukraine security guarantees lasting 15 years, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during discussions about a new peace plan in Florida on Sunday. Trump mentioned that the agreement is “close to 95%” complete, but Zelensky expressed a desire for guarantees that could last up to 50 years. He pointed out that the main unresolved issues are related to territorial matters and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, with little mention of the disputed Donbas region. Although Russia has previously rejected crucial elements of the plan, a spokesman for the Kremlin concurred with Trump’s view that peace is nearer, according to the Russian news agency Tass. After the meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Zelensky reiterated his belief that an overall peace deal is 90% complete, a figure he mentioned before his visit. Both leaders from the U.S. and Ukraine indicated progress on an important issue: security guarantees for Ukraine. Reuters reported that Zelensky hopes these security guarantees will be activated as soon as Kyiv signs a peace agreement. He stated, “Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over. We cannot acknowledge that it has ended, because with such a neighbour there remains a risk of renewed aggression,” according to AFP. Zelensky also requested the U.S. to consider extending the guarantees to 30, 40, or even 50 years. The U.S. has not yet responded to the proposed time frame. On Sunday, Trump mentioned that an agreement is imminent and anticipated that European allies would “take over a big part” of the efforts with U.S. support.