Peace with Russia is a Prerequisite for U.S. Security Guarantees to Ukraine

Negotiations on Ukrainian Security

According to ХВИЛЯ: According to a Politico report published on February 13, 2026, the United States will not sign a formal security guarantee agreement with Ukraine until a comprehensive peace treaty is concluded between Kyiv and Moscow. This stance comes just ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The primary obstacle remains the territorial dispute, with Russia demanding control over the entire Donbas region, while Ukraine categorically refuses to cede any of the territory it currently holds. This fundamental disagreement continues to stall progress.

Next Steps

A new round of talks involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled for next week, with potential locations being Miami or Abu Dhabi. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkopf, who is also handling negotiations concerning Iran, is leading these efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the upcoming Munich Security Conference. The Biden administration is reportedly pushing for the war to be concluded before the start of summer, a timeline linked to the approaching U.S. midterm elections. As one senior U.S. administration official noted:

'He wants many things locked in and agreed upon before any actual signing.'

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has argued that Russia is still attempting to use so-called peace talks to secure battlefield gains it cannot achieve militarily. Meanwhile, Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized a different approach:

'Russia cannot be persuaded into peace. Russia can only be forced into peace through pressure, and this is likely what should be used as the approach to the Russian Federation now.'

The trilateral negotiations underscore the immense complexity of achieving peace and regional security. The urgency of these meetings is heightened by the U.S. political calendar, as the midterm elections could shift Washington's foreign policy priorities. The outcome, particularly regarding territorial concessions, will have profound implications not only for Ukraine's future but for stability across the European continent. The international community watches closely as these high-stakes diplomatic efforts unfold.