MWE Correspondent
Ukraine is pressing for long-term security guarantees as diplomatic efforts continue to explore a possible path toward ending the war sparked by Russia’s invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that United States President Donald Trump has floated a proposal offering Ukraine security guarantees lasting 15 years. While Kyiv has welcomed the gesture as a constructive step, Ukrainian leaders believe the timeframe falls short of what is needed to prevent future aggression.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would prefer guarantees extending as far as 50 years, arguing that only long-lasting commitments can convincingly deter Moscow from making renewed attempts to seize Ukrainian territory. Drawing on the country’s recent history, he noted that shorter arrangements and political assurances have failed to deliver lasting stability. In his view, peace without credible and enduring safeguards risks becoming temporary rather than permanent.
The current war intensified in 2022, but its roots stretch back much further. Tensions escalated after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the outbreak of fighting in eastern Ukraine. Since then, Ukraine has experienced repeated cycles of ceasefires followed by renewed violence. Zelenskyy has often pointed to this pattern as evidence that future agreements must be fundamentally different if they are to succeed.
Under the emerging proposal, security guarantees would form part of a broader peace framework outlining how Ukraine would be protected once active hostilities end. Zelenskyy acknowledged that a 15-year guarantee could help stabilize the immediate post-war period, allowing the country to begin reconstruction and recovery. However, he stressed that Ukraine’s long-term security, economic planning, and regional stability depend on assurances that go well beyond a single generation of political leadership.
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Ukraine’s position reflects widespread public sentiment shaped by years of war. Millions of citizens have been displaced, entire cities have suffered heavy damage, and the national economy has been deeply strained. For many Ukrainians, the idea of returning to normal life hinges on knowing that the country will not again be left vulnerable. Zelenskyy has said extended guarantees would give people the confidence to rebuild homes, businesses, and communities without constant fear of another invasion.
Internationally, the talks are unfolding against a backdrop of cautious optimism and lingering uncertainty. Some European leaders have suggested that a negotiated settlement could be possible if strong enforcement mechanisms are agreed upon. However, major disagreements remain over territorial control, the role of international partners, and how any guarantees would be upheld in practice. Ukraine has consistently maintained that it cannot accept a deal that freezes the conflict while leaving the door open to renewed pressure.
Security analysts say the debate over the length of guarantees highlights a broader challenge facing negotiators. Shorter commitments may be easier to approve politically, but longer guarantees could provide a stronger deterrent and reshape the future security architecture of Ukraine and the wider region. Zelenskyy has indicated that Kyiv will continue pushing for more robust terms as discussions evolve.
