Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Kyiv has received official confirmation from the United States regarding Congress’s readiness to ratify security guarantees for Ukraine. According to the minister, Ukraine has nearly prepared a draft of bilateral security guarantees that will be legally binding for the first time in history.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Security Guarantees: Key Elements and Strategic Perspectives
During his speech at the Munich Security Conference, Andrii Sybiha emphasized that these are indeed guarantees, not just assurances. He highlighted that such binding security guarantees will become a fundamental element for the protection of Ukraine. The American side immediately stated that it does not plan to deploy its troops on Ukrainian territory but is ready to provide support through other means. At the same time, the minister noted that the presence of the so-called “American backstop,” meaning the guarantee support from the USA, will be a critically important component of the new security architecture in Europe.
“But the presence of troops on the ground with the American ‘backstop’ – that is, the guarantee support from the USA – is also a fundamental element of the future security architecture. Personally, I do not believe in an effective security architecture in Europe without the American ‘backstop.’ After the negotiations in Abu Dhabi, we have more clarity on what this means,” the minister stated.
The Ukrainian Army and European Integration as a Guarantee of Security
Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is also seen as an important element of the security system, comparable in significance to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. The minister specifically highlighted the role of a strong Ukrainian army capable of independently deterring aggression, particularly through the development of long-range capabilities and the production of air defense systems to counter ballistic missiles. He stressed that without clear packages of security guarantees, further progress in peaceful settlement is unimaginable.
The statement came against the backdrop of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia regarding the end of the war, which have already taken place several times in 2026. The next round is scheduled for February 17-18 in Geneva.
On January 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that bilateral security guarantees with the United States are already prepared, and Kyiv is awaiting their official signing. Meanwhile, Washington has not specified any dates. The U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew Vitaker, recently stated that the signing will take place when it is appropriate and aligns with the progress of peace negotiations.