Europe wants to agree Ukraine security guarantees in January, French government official says
Ukraine's allies have planned to meet in January 2026 to finalise plans for security guarantees once a possible ceasefire is reached.
Source: Euractiv, an independent news network, citing an unnamed official from France's Élysée Palace, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The comments came after fresh talks between Washington and Kyiv resulted in a 20-point plan to end the war which is now being considered by Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron wants the Coalition of the Willing to finalise details next month on support after a ceasefire, the Élysée Palace official said.
Quote: "Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans agree, and we believe it is now up to Russia to provide a clear answer."
More details: The source said that the guarantees are expected to be agreed in operational terms, giving Ukraine a "clear" picture of what long-term support would look like.
Dozens of countries led by France and the UK have worked for months on security guarantees that would include ground forces, financial assistance, weapons supplies and other measures aimed at deterring Russia from attacking Ukraine again.
Some guarantees, especially those provided by the US, are still under discussion.
Background:
- On 24 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time publicly presented a draft 20-point document on ending the war which he called a framework or "basic document" between Ukraine, the US, Europe and Russia.
- Zelenskyy has also said that Ukraine would not agree to a provision included in the earlier, 28-point version of the plan to end the war that would require it to give up its aspirations for NATO membership.
- Zelenskyy also said that the draft agreement contains no provision on the lifting of US sanctions on Russia, but Washington intends to move towards their gradual removal after the war is over.
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