President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the United States is prepared to offer Ukraine security guarantees – but only within the framework of a peace agreement with Russia – a position that puts Ukraine in a difficult position as peace negotiations remain stalled over Russia’s continuing demands for Ukrainian land.
In an interview published Wednesday, March 3, by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Zelensky described a diplomatic process stuck on key issues, including a 20-point plan and competing visions over land currently occupied by Russian forces.
“We have security guarantees from the Americans, but they want to sign them only in the context of an agreement with the Russians. I do not agree with this point, but that is how it is,” Zelensky said.
According to the president, a trilateral meeting with US officials has not been postponed, despite heightened tensions in the Middle East, and could still take place on March 5 or 6.
While earlier discussions were expected to be held in Abu Dhabi, Zelensky said he would prefer a European venue, arguing that “the war is on our continent.”
He added that Ukraine also has a draft security protocol prepared with European partners, but it remains unsigned. Agreements on post-war reconstruction exist as well, though implementation is contingent on the end of hostilities.
The core obstacle, Zelensky said, remains territorial control.
He stated that the US side has explored ideas involving territorial exchanges, while Russia demands a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from parts of Donbas.
Zelensky rejected both approaches, arguing that trading territory is not in Ukraine’s interest and would require Moscow to deploy significant forces to hold areas Kyiv intends to reclaim.
“Exchanging territories is not in our interests,” he said, questioning why Ukraine should give up land that is “part of our homeland.”
Zelensky confirmed that talks have so far focused on approximately 5,800 square kilometers (2,239 square miles) in Donbas. He said he had accepted a US proposal to freeze the front line as a diplomatic compromise in an effort to at least halt the fighting.
However, Moscow refused and instead demanded a complete Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the region.
Subsequent US proposals reportedly included the creation of demilitarized zones and free economic areas along both sides of the front.
Zelensky said Kyiv insisted such measures apply equally, but Russia wanted them imposed only on Ukrainian-controlled territory, calling the idea “pure madness.”
When asked whether firm allied guarantees, including foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, would make him consider relinquishing Donbas, Zelensky rejected the premise outright.
“I want to state clearly: I will never leave Donbas and the 200,000 Ukrainians who live there,” he said. “Why should I do this? Because Putin is imposing this as a condition for peace? And will he immediately make new demands? No, I will not tolerate this.”
He also questioned why Moscow should dictate which foreign forces may be stationed in Ukraine, pointing to the reported presence of 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia.
At the same time, he cautioned against overreliance on foreign deployments, drawing a parallel with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and warning that future political shifts in Washington could alter long-term commitments.
“We need a strong Ukrainian line of defense,” Zelensky said.
Earlier, the head of the President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, said Russia has agreed to accept the US-proposed security guarantees for Ukraine during recent talks.
“On security guarantees, the Russian side said directly they would accept the guarantees the United States is proposing to Ukraine – they have no alternative,” he said.
Budanov described the guarantees as crucial for Kyiv. He stressed that, regardless of differing views toward Washington, the US role is indispensable.
While Ukraine would prefer security guarantees to be agreed first – before any broader political settlement – he acknowledged that, in practice, the two tracks may move forward simultaneously.
His remarks came as Zelensky said US President Donald Trump wants to sign a comprehensive agreement covering both security guarantees and an end to the war during a high-profile ceremony.
Kyiv, however, insists the guarantees must first be approved by the US Congress, underscoring its demand for binding and credible protections.
Zelensky has also previously stated that a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is necessary to resolve the most difficult issues.