Ukraine hopes for leaders’ summit in US by end of January to discuss war exit plan: Zelenskyy
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said Kyiv is hoping to hold a high-level leaders’ summit in the United States by the end of January to discuss concrete proposals aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war with Russia. His remarks signal renewed diplomatic momentum as Ukraine pushes for clearer security guarantees and a coordinated international roadmap amid continuing battlefield pressure.
Speaking after a series of consultations in Kyiv, Mr. Zelenskyy said Ukraine and national security advisers from 18 countries had held detailed discussions on security assurances, economic agreements and the sequencing of steps required to move toward a potential settlement. These talks, he added, are part of a broader diplomatic process that will continue in Europe and then with the United States.
“Ukraine and national security advisers from 18 countries discussed security guarantees, economic agreements and sequencing plans,” Zelenskyy said. “Next week, the talks will continue during a European leaders’ meeting in Paris and then with U.S. negotiators.”
He underlined Kyiv’s urgency in advancing the process, adding, “After that, we will be preparing for a meeting in the United States at the leadership level. We would like all of this to happen in January, by the end of January.”
Diplomatic push gathers pace
The proposed US summit comes at a time when Ukraine is seeking to consolidate Western backing amid shifting global political dynamics. Officials familiar with the discussions say Kyiv is keen to ensure that any future negotiations with Moscow are backed by firm, enforceable security guarantees, rather than temporary arrangements that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed aggression.
The Paris meeting of European leaders next week is expected to focus on aligning positions among key allies, including France, Germany and other NATO members, before engaging directly with Washington. Diplomats say the aim is to present a coordinated framework that links military support, long-term security assurances and economic reconstruction.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine will not accept any deal that compromises its sovereignty or territorial integrity. While he did not provide details of the proposals discussed, officials indicated that talks have included phased approaches to de-escalation, mechanisms to deter future Russian attacks and plans to integrate Ukraine more deeply into Western security and economic structures.
US role seen as decisive
The United States remains Ukraine’s most important military and political backer, and Kyiv views direct engagement at the leadership level as essential to shaping the next phase of the conflict. A potential summit in the US would mark one of the most significant diplomatic engagements since the early stages of the war.
Analysts note that Zelenskyy’s emphasis on timing reflects concerns about fatigue among some international partners and uncertainty linked to global political developments. By pushing for a summit within weeks, Ukraine appears determined to maintain momentum and avoid prolonged diplomatic drift.
Washington has not yet publicly confirmed plans for a leaders’ meeting, but officials have said the US remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence and sovereignty. Any such summit is expected to include discussions on military aid, sanctions on Russia, post-war reconstruction and the conditions under which peace talks could eventually take place.
War continues amid diplomacy
Despite the diplomatic push, fighting continues along multiple fronts, with Ukraine facing sustained Russian pressure. Zelenskyy has acknowledged that diplomacy and defence must proceed in parallel, arguing that negotiations are only meaningful if Ukraine remains strong on the battlefield.
For Kyiv, the hope is that a structured, internationally backed process could eventually create conditions for a durable peace—one that addresses not only the immediate conflict but also the long-term security architecture of Europe.
Our Final Thoughts
President Zelenskyy’s call for a US-hosted leaders’ summit by the end of January reflects Ukraine’s determination to keep diplomacy moving at a critical juncture in the war. By coordinating with European allies first and then engaging Washington, Kyiv is attempting to build a united front that can translate military support into long-term security guarantees. However, the success of this effort will depend on sustained political will among Ukraine’s partners and their readiness to commit beyond short-term measures. As the conflict grinds on, the coming weeks may prove pivotal in determining whether diplomacy can meaningfully shape the path toward peace—or whether the war’s trajectory will continue to be driven primarily by developments on the battlefield.