Zelensky Acknowledges Russia Needs Security Guarantees for First Time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged for the first time that Russia needs security guarantees under a future peace settlement, marking a departure from Kyiv's previous rejection of Moscow's demands.

But the Ukrainian leader made any consideration of Russian assurances conditional on ending the war and addressing Ukraine's own security requirements first.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on October 27, Zelensky outlined a sequence for negotiations that could eventually accommodate Moscow's concerns without conceding Ukraine's position on its sovereignty or defense.

“First, we need to resolve the issue of this war, and only then look for answers to the questions Russia is raising based on its own views and expectations about security.”

A Shift in Kyiv's Position

The comments represent a change from Zelensky's position in August 2025, when he questioned why the country that had invaded Ukraine should receive security assurances.

Appearing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the time, Zelensky challenged the premise of Moscow's demands.

“When Russia raises the issue of security guarantees, I honestly don’t know who is threatening them yet. They attacked us, they are on our land. I don’t quite understand what guarantees the aggressor needs. Guarantees of what?”

His latest position stops short of accepting Russia's proposals. Instead, it introduces the possibility of discussing them after Ukraine's immediate security concerns have been addressed.

The change comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to restart negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff involved in diplomatic contacts.

Russian Demands Extend Beyond Ukraine

Zelensky said Moscow's proposals were not confined to assurances against Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.

He described Russia as seeking wider agreements with NATO or Washington that could alter the European security order.

“Security guarantees for Russia — as Russia understands them — mean changing the security framework in Europe and the world.”

According to Zelensky, Moscow has again raised these demands in its contacts with the U.S., presenting Russian assurances as a counterpart to any guarantees offered to Ukraine.

He linked the proposals to Russian demands made to the Biden administration before the full-scale invasion, including restrictions on NATO deployments in Central and Eastern Europe and a return toward the alliance's pre-1997 military posture.

Zelensky said he lacked precise information about Moscow's current proposals but warned that similar arrangements could signal weakness within NATO.

He also pointed to indications from Washington that the U.S. could reduce its military presence in Europe.

Ukraine Insists on Security First

Kyiv continues to demand binding security commitments capable of deterring another Russian attack.

Zelensky has identified three potential frameworks: NATO membership, bilateral U.S. commitments resembling Article 5 protections, or guarantees from a European-led coalition backed by Washington.

The bilateral option would require congressional approval. Ukraine has rejected arrangements comparable to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, arguing that written assurances alone would not provide adequate protection.

Maintaining a substantial Ukrainian military remains another priority. Zelensky has proposed retaining a force of up to approximately 800,000 personnel, supported by international funding over several years.

Kyiv also opposes restrictions on the size of its armed forces or commitments to neutrality.

Territorial concessions remain outside the scope of technical negotiations, with Zelensky insisting that such questions must be reserved for national leaders.

Ukraine has indicated that freezing the existing front line could be considered, but not formal recognition of Russian control over occupied territory.

Europe Must Participate in Security Talks

Zelensky has also drawn a distinction between initial U.S.-mediated discussions with Moscow and negotiations involving wider European security commitments.

Washington could facilitate preliminary exchanges over Russian proposals, he said, but European governments would need representation if the resulting framework affected their security.

That position places limits on any bilateral U.S.-Russian understanding that would require changes to NATO's military posture or Europe's security architecture.

The Ukrainian president's approach leaves room for diplomatic engagement while maintaining that Kyiv cannot negotiate away security interests belonging to other European states.

Abu Dhabi Talks Approach

The new position comes ahead of planned technical-level negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi in early November.

Preparations have focused on possible de-escalation measures, including arrangements affecting energy infrastructure and maritime operations.

Prisoner exchanges, Ukrainian security guarantees and the potential format of a meeting between national leaders are also expected to feature in discussions.

Recent diplomatic contacts have included Witkoff's meetings with Ukrainian and European representatives in Oslo, followed by talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also held discussions with Putin around October 27 and subsequently briefed Zelensky.

Putin reportedly indicated that Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks under arrangements that would include security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president has treated the latest Russian signals cautiously, despite describing aspects of Moscow's apparent willingness to negotiate as serious.

Opening Without Concessions

Russia has continued to insist that its security concerns form part of any settlement and that Moscow participate in arrangements governing Ukraine's future protection.

Zelensky's latest remarks indicate a willingness to consider those concerns within a broader negotiated framework, rather than dismissing them outright.

The distinction is in the order of negotiations. Kyiv wants an end to the war and credible Ukrainian security guarantees before addressing Moscow's proposed changes to the regional security system.

That leaves substantial differences unresolved, particularly over NATO's role, Ukraine's military capabilities and territorial questions.

Russian strikes have continued alongside the diplomatic activity, while Moscow has maintained demands that Kyiv regards as incompatible with its sovereignty.

No immediate major public Kremlin response to Zelensky's revised position had emerged following the October 28 reporting.

For Kyiv, the opening offers a way to engage with U.S.-led diplomacy without abandoning its central conditions. Whether Moscow accepts that sequence remains unresolved.