After nearly four years of war, Ukraine's allies are racing to finalize security commitments strong enough to convince Kyiv to negotiate—and credible enough to deter Moscow from attacking again. In early January 2026, the Coalition of the Willing met in Paris where 35 countries produced a formal declaration committing to robust security guarantees, including a US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism and multinational peacekeeping forces. UK and France signed a joint declaration with Zelenskyy pledging to deploy up to 15,000 troops combined and establish military hubs across Ukraine after a ceasefire. Two weeks later at Davos, Trump and Zelenskyy finalized the security guarantee terms, with US envoy Steve Witkoff declaring negotiations "down to one issue"—territory. On January 25, Zelenskyy announced the US security agreement is "100% ready" for signing, pending only a formal ceremony and ratification.
The central tension has crystallized into a sequencing dispute over Donetsk. On January 23-24, the first-ever trilateral talks between US, Ukraine, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi—the first direct three-way negotiations since the February 2022 invasion. Ukrainian officials led by Defense Minister Umerov and intelligence chief Budanov joined Russian General Staff Chief Kostyukov and Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner for two days of talks all parties described as "constructive." Russia continues demanding the entirety of Donbas, including the 20 percent of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control; Ukraine refuses territorial concessions on land it holds. On January 28, Secretary of State Rubio confirmed Donetsk is "the one remaining item" and "a very difficult" issue to bridge. Reports emerged the same day that the US has tied security guarantees to Ukraine first ceding Donbas territory—a sequencing Ukraine rejects, demanding guarantees before territorial concessions. The White House called those reports "totally false," but the fundamental deadlock remains: Russia wants land, Ukraine wants guarantees first, and whether Putin's forces will keep grinding forward while diplomats talk defines the February 1 talks in Abu Dhabi.
Fictional content for perspective - not real quotes.
Jane Addams
(1860-1935) ·Progressive Era · social reform
Fictional AI pastiche — not real quote.
"The architects of peace gather in grand halls—Paris, Davos, Abu Dhabi—while the actual inhabitants of the disputed territories remain conspicuously absent from these deliberations about their own fate. One might observe that 15,000 troops are being pledged to secure a peace, yet I wonder how many social workers, teachers, and rebuilders are included in these guarantees? True security cannot be imposed by armed sentries alone; it must grow from the capacity of ordinary people to resume their daily bread-winning, their neighborhood associations, their small democracies—none of which are negotiable in percentages of the Donbas."
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US envoy Witkoff says territorial control of Donbas is the last sticking point after security guarantees finalized
15,000
UK-France troops pledged
Combined British and French forces committed to deploy to military hubs across Ukraine post-ceasefire
35
Countries in Coalition of the Willing
Coalition led by UK and France signed Paris Declaration committing to robust security guarantees
20%
Ukrainian territory under Russian control
Russia occupies roughly 45,625 square miles, including Crimea and most of Donbas
76%
Ukrainians reject territorial concessions
December 2025 poll shows 76% oppose recognizing occupied territories as Russian in exchange for peace
People Involved
Donald Trump
President of the United States (Pushing for territorial compromise before February 24 anniversary, security guarantees finalized)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine (US security guarantees document complete and ready for signing; defending territorial integrity while pursuing diplomatic resolution)
Emmanuel Macron
President of France (Committed several thousand French troops to Ukraine military hubs post-ceasefire)
Keir Starmer
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Committed UK troops to establish military hubs across Ukraine post-ceasefire)
Vladimir Putin
President of Russia (Maintaining demand for entire Donbas region, engaging in talks while describing territorial issue as 'fundamental importance')
Friedrich Merz
Chancellor of Germany (Supporting Article 5-like guarantees, considering German troop deployment)
Mark Rutte
NATO Secretary General (Architecting three-layer security framework for Ukraine)
Organizations Involved
CO
Coalition of the Willing
International Security Coalition
Status: 35 countries signed Paris Declaration with concrete troop and security commitments
The European answer to Ukraine's security crisis when Trump made US support conditional.
NO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Military Alliance
Status: Not offering membership but coordinating security guarantees
The Cold War alliance navigating its biggest test since the Soviet collapse.
Timeline
Second Round of Trilateral Talks Scheduled in Abu Dhabi
Diplomatic
US officials confirm next round of three-way negotiations will begin February 1 in UAE, continuing discussions on territorial parameters and ceasefire conditions.
Rubio Confirms Donetsk Territorial Issue Is Last Major Obstacle
Statement
US Secretary of State tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "the one remaining item" in peace negotiations is "the territorial claim on Donetsk in particular," calling it "a very difficult" gap to bridge. Confirms security guarantees agreed "from our side" but notes they would only apply after conflict ends.
Ukraine Says Russia Sending More Senior Negotiators to Next Round
Diplomatic
Ukrainian foreign minister describes Russian officials involved in talks resuming February 1 in UAE as "much more serious than before," signaling increased Kremlin engagement in peace process.
Reports Emerge: US Ties Security Guarantees to Ukraine Ceding Donbas
Diplomatic
Financial Times reports Trump administration has indicated to Ukraine that US security guarantees are contingent on Kyiv first agreeing peace deal involving ceding Donbas region to Russia, according to eight people familiar with talks. Ukraine wants guarantees confirmed before giving up land; Washington signals commitments depend on accommodation with Russia. White House deputy press secretary calls reports "totally false."
Kremlin Calls Talks 'Constructive' While Reiterating Territorial Demands
Statement
Kremlin spokesman Peskov describes Abu Dhabi talks as constructive but warns against expecting quick results, stating territorial issue is "of fundamental importance" for Russia. Russia reiterates demand that Ukraine withdraw from all of Donbas.
Zelenskyy Announces US Security Agreement '100% Ready' for Signing
Diplomatic
Ukrainian president announces in Vilnius that US security guarantees document is complete and awaiting formal signing ceremony, after which it will go to US Congress and Ukrainian parliament for ratification.
First US-Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Talks Begin in Abu Dhabi
Diplomatic
First direct three-way negotiations since February 2022 invasion commence, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov and intelligence chief Budanov meeting Russian General Staff Chief Kostyukov and US envoys Witkoff and Kushner. Talks scheduled for two days focusing on territorial parameters for ending conflict.
Trump and Zelenskyy meet at World Economic Forum in Davos; Zelenskyy announces security guarantee terms finalized and deal nearly ready on economic recovery. US envoy Witkoff declares negotiations 'down to one issue'—territorial control of Donbas.
Paris Declaration Signed with Concrete Security Commitments
Diplomatic
Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris produces formal Declaration on Robust Security Guarantees including US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, continued military assistance, and multinational force deployment. UK and France sign separate declaration with Zelenskyy committing to deploy up to 15,000 troops combined and establish military hubs across Ukraine.
Macron Announces Paris Summit for Early January
Announcement
Coalition of the Willing to meet in Paris to finalize concrete security contributions.
Russia Claims Ukrainian Attack on Putin's Residence
Statement
Russia alleges Ukraine attacked Putin's residence in Novgorod with 91 drones hours after Mar-a-Lago talks; Zelenskyy rejects claim as "complete fabrication" to derail peace negotiations.
Poll Shows 76% of Ukrainians Reject Territorial Concessions
Domestic
Survey published by Democratic Initiatives Foundation shows overwhelming Ukrainian opposition to recognizing occupied territories as Russian, with regional variations from 2% in west to 22% in center.
Russia Claims 6,460 Square Kilometers Seized in 2025
Military
Chief of General Staff Gerasimov reports Russian forces captured 6,460 sq km and 334 settlements in 2025; ISW disputes claim, estimating ~4,700 sq km actually seized.
Trump pushes through a February deadline deal trading Ukrainian territorial concessions for 15-30 year security guarantees backed by congressional approval. Europe deploys 10,000+ peacekeeping troops to a demilitarized zone along frozen frontlines. Russia accepts because it locks in territorial gains while avoiding NATO expansion. Ukraine accepts because Article 5-like guarantees from US, UK, France, and Germany feel stronger than endless war with retreating defenses. The framework survives Trump leaving office because troops on the ground and legislative commitments create institutional stickiness. Key trigger: Paris summit produces binding troop commitments from Coalition members, convincing Kyiv the guarantees won't evaporate.
2
Putin Rejects Deal, Grinds Forward for Maximal Gains
Russia keeps stalling negotiations while forces advance 150+ square miles monthly, betting Trump's patience runs out and European unity fractures. Putin calculates that Ukrainian defenses—already retreating faster than any point in the war—will collapse further by spring 2026, giving Russia better terms than any current deal. He publicly engages in talks to avoid blame for failure while privately ordering generals to take remaining Donbas by force. Trump eventually walks away as promised, Europeans can't fill the gap, and Ukraine is forced to accept worse terms in late 2026. Key trigger: Russia continues advancing in January-February despite negotiations, signaling military strategy over diplomatic resolution.
3
Deal Collapses Like Budapest—Russia Violates Within Five Years
A ceasefire is signed with security guarantees that look impressive on paper. European peacekeepers deploy to the demilitarized zone. Ukraine begins reconstruction with Western investment. But when Russia tests the boundaries in 2028 or 2030—a border incursion, a drone strike, supporting separatists—the US response is tepid, European coalition members disagree on activation, and the guarantees prove hollow. Ukraine, having demilitarized per agreement terms, faces renewed invasion without the military capacity it sacrificed for peace. The deal becomes a cautionary tale like Budapest: promises from great powers aren't worth the paper when territorial integrity doesn't align with their interests. Key trigger: Guarantees aren't enshrined in binding treaties requiring parliamentary ratification, leaving them vulnerable to political changes.
4
Ukrainian Referendum Rejects Deal, War Continues
Discussed by: Al Jazeera, Kyiv Post analysts noting Zelenskyy's referendum requirement
Zelenskyy insists any territorial concessions require a national referendum after a 60-day ceasefire, per his December statements. The referendum is held in spring 2026, and Ukrainian voters—watching Russian forces occupy 20% of their country—reject territorial concessions by wide margins. The peace process collapses. Trump declares Ukraine ungrateful and reduces support. European allies increase aid but can't replace US capacity. The war grinds into 2027 with no clear path to resolution. Ukraine faces a choice between fighting with diminishing resources or accepting worse terms without democratic legitimacy. Key trigger: Russia refuses the 60-day ceasefire needed for referendum, or holds one that produces a "No" vote.
Historical Context
Budapest Memorandum (1994)
1994-2014
What Happened
Ukraine surrendered the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from the US, UK, and Russia guaranteeing its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum was carefully drafted to avoid implying military commitments—"assurances" not "guarantees." In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion. The US and UK provided sanctions and weapons, but no military intervention. Ukraine tried three times to convene consultations under the memorandum; all failed.
Outcome
Short Term
Successful nuclear non-proliferation; Ukraine became non-nuclear state under NPT.
Long Term
Complete failure to protect Ukraine's territorial integrity; memorandum became symbol of worthless security promises.
Why It's Relevant Today
The single biggest obstacle to Ukraine trusting new security guarantees—why Zelenskyy demands binding Article 5-like commitments, not political assurances.
Dayton Agreement and IFOR Peacekeeping (1995)
1995-2004
What Happened
After 3.5 years of Bosnian War, US-brokered Dayton Agreement ended fighting and established a complex power-sharing government. NATO deployed 60,000 peacekeeping troops (IFOR) with robust rules of engagement to enforce military aspects of the agreement. The Implementation Force had clear command structure, overwhelming military capability versus local forces, and political unity among NATO members. Peacekeepers remained for nearly a decade, preventing conflict resumption.
Outcome
Short Term
Immediate end to active combat; peacekeepers successfully separated forces and enforced ceasefire.
Long Term
Fragile peace held for 30 years despite ethnic tensions; Bosnia remains dysfunctional but not at war.
Why It's Relevant Today
The model Coalition of the Willing references—but Ukraine faces a nuclear-armed adversary, not local militias, making enforcement exponentially harder.
Korean Armistice and DMZ (1953-present)
1953-present
What Happened
After three years of Korean War, armistice agreement established a demilitarized zone patrolled by both sides and neutral nations. No peace treaty was ever signed—technically still at war. The DMZ has been monitored by UN forces, including Swiss and Swedish peacekeepers, for 72 years. Massive US troop presence in South Korea (28,500 currently) provided credible deterrence. Multiple violations and incidents occurred, but full-scale war never resumed.
Outcome
Short Term
Ended active hostilities and prisoner exchanges; created 2.5-mile-wide buffer zone.
Long Term
Longest-standing armistice in modern history; frozen conflict prevented from reigniting by permanent military presence and US security guarantee.
Why It's Relevant Today
Shows demilitarized zones can work with credible enforcement—but required permanent US troop deployment and acceptance of indefinite division, not eventual reunification.
