Ukraine peace deal 'very close', but Zelensky seeks reassurance force for post-war security

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attends a lunch meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) at the White House on October 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP

After lengthy negotiations, Kyiv has reportedly agreed in principle to a US-backed peace plan to end the war with Russia, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear that acceptance hinges on strong security guarantees.

A senior US official told media that “the Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal,” adding that “there are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal.” This comes after a controversial 28-point draft was softened in a revised version that appears more acceptable to Kyiv and its allies.

Zelensky calls for global oversight and security guarantees

Despite promising progress, Zelensky has stressed that Ukraine cannot sign off on any agreement without explicit provisions to safeguard the country’s future. He has urged European allies to help deploy a multinational “reassurance force” to guarantee security after the ceasefire.

Kyiv hopes this force will provide a buffer against potential violations by Moscow and ensure that Russian withdrawals are verifiable and lasting. Without such a security arrangement, Ukrainian leaders believe the risk of renewed aggression remains too high.

US and European diplomacy intensifies

In recent days, top US and European diplomats have engaged in intensive negotiations to firm up the peace framework. Reports indicate a flurry of high-level contacts involving American, Ukrainian, Russian and European officials aimed at bridging remaining gaps over territory, military limits and guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The US-backed peace plan, first submitted as a 28-point proposal, attracted heavy criticism for its concessions to Moscow, including military caps and territorial compromises. After backlash from Kyiv and its European partners, a revised, more balanced 19-point plan was agreed upon over the weekend.

Still a long way to go

Even as optimism grows, major obstacles remain. Russia has yet to publicly accept the new framework, and several sensitive issues, including territorial control, troop deployments, and future alliances, remain in dispute.

Analysts warn Kyiv could lose essential leverage if the deal does not include a strong, enforceable security guarantee. Zelenskyy’s demand for an international reassurance force is central to that calculation. Without it, many fear the fragile agreement could collapse or lead to renewed conflict.

For now, Ukraine says it is ready to move forward. But for millions of Ukrainians worn down by years of war, true peace will depend not just on signatures on a document, but on the presence of firm guarantees and vigilant international oversight.