The U.S. on Tuesday joined a coalition of nations in committing to âbindingâ long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, marking the first time Washington has officially endorsed a specific security framework.
The joint declaration, issued by major NATO allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. and U.S. negotiators, followed a high-level summit in Paris aimed at solidifying post-war security arrangements for Ukraine should a ceasefire with Moscow be reached. The five-point plan includes âbinding commitmentsâ to support Ukraine against any future Russian aggression.
Zelensky, who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump, met with the president at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 28. Following that meeting, Trump signaled that the deal to end the nearly four-year war is â95%â complete, and Zelensky said the U.S. would be offering long-term security guarantees.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said after Tuesdayâs Paris meeting that President Donald Trump is fully supportive of the security framework discussed by allies.
âWe have made significant progress on several critical workstreams, including our bilateral security guarantee framework and a prosperity plan,â Witkoff wrote on X. âWe agree with the Coalition that durable security guarantees and robust prosperity commitments are essential to a lasting peace in the Ukraine and we will continue to work together on this effort.â
The plan states that all parties have agreed to finalize binding commitments âsetting out our approach to support Ukraine and to restore peace and security in the case of a future armed attack by Russia,â which may include âthe use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions.â
Other elements of the plan include âcritical long term military assistance and armament to the Armed Forces of Ukraine,â a âEuropean-ledâ multinational peacekeeping force, as well âmutually beneficialâ defense, intelligence, military training, and military cooperation with Ukraine.
The draft statement also calls for a U.S.-led âceasefire monitoring and verification mechanismâ to âaddress any breaches, attribute responsibility, and determine remedies.â
âWe stand ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force, in addition to bilateral security agreements and in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional arrangements,â the members agreed in the âParis Declaration.â
UK and French leaders separately signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops to monitor Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached.
Representing the U.S. alongside Witkoff were Trumpâs son-in-law Jared Kushner, General Alex Grynkewich, Ambassador Charles Kushner and White House advisor Josh Gruenbaum.
âI think today was a very, very big milestone,â Jared Kushner told reporters. âThis does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today.â
In addition to security guarantees, Witkoff also unveiled a post-war âprosperity agreementâ to rebuild Ukraineâs economy.
âIt will aspirationally mean large, large possibilities for the Ukrainian people, for people coming home from war who will find wonderful jobs out there. Weâre working with BlackRock, Larry Fink, in this endeavor, and we think itâs going to be very, very important for the people of Ukraine, and we believe that a robust economy correlates and works directly with these security protocols,â Witkoff said.
Witkoff noted, however, that land disputes with Russia remain a sticking point in reaching a ceasefire.
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