Ukrainian officials claim Russia may now accept U.S.-backed security guarantees, potentially opening the door to a historic peace agreement — even as missile and drone attacks continue and the war’s humanitarian toll rises.
Ukrainian officials claim a possible breakthrough in negotiations with Russia, with indications that President Vladimir Putin may be willing to accept U.S.-backed security guarantees for Ukraine — a development that could mark the most significant shift in the conflict since it began four years ago.
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s Chief of Staff, told Ukrainian television that Russian negotiators had signaled they would consider the security guarantees offered by the United States. The Kremlin has not officially confirmed the claim.
If true, the guarantees could include sustaining a Ukrainian standing army of 800,000 troops supported by Western allies. A UK-led “coalition of the willing” has also pledged to assemble a peacekeeping contingent, reportedly involving at least 5,000 soldiers from Britain and France.
Talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva in recent months have made limited progress. February negotiations in Switzerland were described as “very tense,” stretching over six hours across bilateral and trilateral sessions.
Budanov added that Moscow has so far rejected proposals for a direct summit between Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff advocating the idea. Russia continues to demand Ukrainian surrender of the remaining 20% of Donetsk under Kyiv control, while Ukraine has proposed a demilitarized buffer zone with both sides pulling back from the front lines.
The diplomatic developments come amid escalating violence. On Thursday, Russia launched roughly 420 drones and 40 missiles across six Ukrainian regions, injuring dozens of civilians. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have left at least two-thirds of Ukraine’s energy production capacity destroyed, damaged, or occupied during the harsh winter.
Financial sanctions on Russia continue to constrain Moscow’s war funding. According to Russia’s finance ministry, EU fuel import restrictions and measures targeting the “shadow fleet” of Russian tankers led to a 25% drop in oil and gas exports last year. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has approved an £80 billion loan package for Ukraine, including £50 billion for military procurement, underscoring sustained Western support.
