Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is accelerating peace negotiations after European and allied security advisers convened in Kyiv, with a $800 billion economic package and security guarantees under discussion ahead of a Paris summit.
KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled a decisive shift in Ukraine’s diplomatic strategy as national security advisers from European nations and global allies gathered in Kyiv to advance peace proposals and economic support ahead of a pivotal Paris summit. The U.S.-led diplomatic effort to end the nearly four-year war with Russia has entered a critical phase, with Zelenskyy declaring that Ukraine has shared all draft documents with 18 security advisers, including those on security guarantees, to accelerate negotiations.
“We expect that this further work will now take place in the capitals of European countries as well as Canada, Japan and other representatives of the Coalition of the Willing,” Zelenskyy stated, referring to the approximately 30 countries backing Kyiv’s position. He emphasized urgency, noting, “We are not allocating a great deal of time for this process.”
Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Bevz confirmed that Kyiv is coordinating security guarantee plans with European partners that would include a multilateral framework agreement. This framework envisions Ukrainian forces as the first line of defense, European-led troops deployed in Ukraine, and U.S. “backstop” support. The structure is designed to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty while leveraging international military capacity.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Taras Kachka, announced a $800 billion economic support package for Ukraine over the next decade. The package, based on calculations by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Union, is intended to cover damage compensation, reconstruction, economic stability, and a $200 billion growth “booster.” It is also tied to Ukraine’s EU accession reforms.
Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev noted that specific funding sources have not yet been identified, though roughly $500 billion is expected from public grants and concessional loans. Details are expected to be finalized within two weeks.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy also announced key government reshuffles. He proposed Denys Shmyhal, who previously served as defense minister and Ukraine’s longest-serving prime minister, to become energy minister and first deputy prime minister. Shmyhal’s appointment underscores Ukraine’s intent to consolidate expertise in critical sectors. His proposed replacement in defense is Mykhailo Fedorov, widely credited with integrating drone technology into the Ukrainian military during his tenure as digital transformation minister.
Zelenskyy appointed the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, as his new chief of staff. The move, announced Friday, was framed as a strategic pivot to sharpen focus on security, defense development, and diplomacy.
As the diplomatic momentum builds, the humanitarian toll continues. The death toll from a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv on Friday rose to two, including a 3-year-old boy, according to Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov. An overnight Russian drone attack on the Mykolaiv region targeted critical infrastructure, leaving some communities without electricity, though no casualties were reported, according to regional head Vitalii Kim.
While the war’s trajectory remains volatile, the convergence of European and allied security advisers in Kyiv marks a pivotal moment. The push for security guarantees and economic stability represents not just a diplomatic strategy but a foundational effort to restructure Ukraine’s post-war future. The Paris summit, scheduled for the coming days, will serve as the critical juncture where these proposals are finalized — and where the world watches to see if diplomacy can outpace destruction.
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