The Trump administration has indicated to Ukraine that US security guarantees are contingent on Kyiv first agreeing a peace deal that would likely involve ceding the Donbas region to Russia, according to eight people familiar with talks. “They stop each time the security guarantees can be signed,” the official said. Following Mr Trump’s meeting with Mr Zelenskiy in Washington last month, US officials said the offer of American security guarantees “will not be on the table forever”, without elaborating. Ukraine wants to confirm the US security guarantees before it gives up any land. Conceding it has been a red line for Mr Zelenskiy and a majority of Ukrainians, according to polling earlier this month.

Source: The Irish Times January 27, 2026 15:53 UTC