While in Lithuania to celebrate an anniversary of an uprising against Russian imperialism, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that a document on US security guarantees for Ukraine is fully ready for signing, and ratification from respective legislatures.
European security guarantees come next, he said.
“The document is 100 percent ready, we are waiting for partners to confirm readiness, the date and the place where we will sign it,” Zelensky said, adding that the agreement will need to be ratified by the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
“The second layer of security guarantees for Ukraine is European security guarantees, the Coalition of the Willing, and most importantly – membership in the European Union… We are talking about a specific date when Ukraine will be ready.”
He said he “hoped” that Ukraine would be able to join a a “technical level” in 2027.
“We want a specific date [for EU accession – ed.] in our treaty on ending the war so that all parties will adhere to these agreements, including the aggressor, who will sign a 20-point plan if the moment comes,” the president noted.
Speaking to journalists via a messaging app on Friday, Zelensky responded to comments earlier by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said only one issue remained between Ukrainian and US negotiators.
Zelensky confirmed that recent talks with Donald Trump and his team were positive, with air defense and long-term security emerging as central themes.
This came a day after Zelensky met with Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, which Trump described as “good.”
Following that, Zelensky said Ukraine’s security guarantees are complete and ready for signing, stressing that the timing and venue now depend on Washington.
“The security guarantees are finalized. That’s it,” he said.
“Once again, it depends on the American side. When and where they are ready, we are ready. I am confident this is a historic document.”
The Ukrainian president was joining his Lithuanian and Polish counterparts in Vilnius to celebrate an 1863 uprising in Russia’s Kingdom of Poland. The “January Uprising” started by young Polish conscripts soon erupted to include all levels of society, and spilled over into Lithuania.
It resulted in tens of thousands of dead and wounded on both sides, and the co-involvement of France, the UK and Austria in a diplomatic face-off with Russia. Volunteers in support of the Poles arrived from France, Hungary, Italy and even Russia itself.
Zelensky on Sunday expressed gratitude to the people of Lithuania and Poland for their continued support of Kyiv throughout the nearly four-year Russian invasion.
“Right now, this is a very painful issue – people are living through the consequences of Russian strikes with drones and missiles. Energy equipment and other assistance coming from our European friends matter. Thank you for this,” Zelensky said.