US and Ukraine agree on 100% readiness for new security pact

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that an agreement on US security guarantees for his country is “ready” to be signed. During a news conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sunday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is prepared to send the agreement to the US Congress and Ukrainian parliament for ratification.

Zelenskyy emphasized that security guarantees from the United States are crucial for Ukraine’s safety. He also reiterated Ukraine’s push for European Union membership by 2027, describing it as an “economic security guarantee”.

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday to discuss Washington’s framework for ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Although no agreement was reached during the talks, both sides expressed willingness to continue dialogue.

Zelenskyy described the talks as a trilateral format that included diplomats and military representatives from all three countries. He acknowledged fundamental differences between Ukrainian and Russian positions, particularly regarding territorial issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously discussed a Ukraine settlement with US President Donald Trump’s envoys during marathon talks on Thursday. The Kremlin stated that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from areas in the east that Russia has annexed but not fully captured.

Zelenskyy clarified that Ukraine is unwilling to abandon eastern regions of the country, citing the importance of upholding territorial integrity. He noted that all sides must be prepared for compromise.

Source: Al Jazeera