Zelensky admits the possibility of security guarantees for Russia in future peace negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in Kyiv the possibility that Russia could receive security guarantees as part of a future peace settlement, but emphasized that the priority is guaranteeing Ukraine’s security. The statement was made in the context of preparations for the resumption of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

Zelensky specified that the West could subsequently consider Moscow’s requests, but only after the war has ended. He insisted that Europe must participate in discussions on the post-war security architecture, should the guarantees require the involvement of European states.

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi are expected to address technical de-escalation measures, including a possible energy and maritime ceasefire, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine. In parallel, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb conveyed the European position on ending the conflict to Vladimir Putin.

We focused on the future — on what needs to happen so that this war does not continue indefinitely for months, causing human casualties… I do not believe that [Putin] will change his mind [regarding the principles for ending the war], but our position was presented to him very clearly, Støre said, according to Digi24.

Moscow maintains that Europeans must be involved in the negotiations, but criticizes the West’s position toward Russia. According to sources cited by The Telegraph, the Kremlin is also seeking to limit NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe, a demand that Western states have rejected so far.