The statement came at a sensitive moment, with both Russia and Ukraine continuing military operations while simultaneously engaging in limited humanitarian and diplomatic exchanges. On the same day as the announcement, the two sides carried out another exchange of war dead, underlining the human cost of the conflict even as talks about peace continue in parallel.

The renewed invitation follows recent momentum generated by US-mediated negotiations held in Abu Dhabi, which brought Russian and Ukrainian delegations together for discussions aimed at narrowing differences. While these talks have not produced a breakthrough, they have injected fresh energy into diplomatic efforts and raised expectations that higher-level engagement could follow.

Despite this progress, the Kremlin declined to comment on reports suggesting that Moscow and Kyiv may have agreed to halt strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure. Energy facilities have been a major target in recent months, contributing to widespread power outages in Ukraine and heightening concerns about civilian hardship during the winter period.

Officials in Moscow indicated that they have not yet received a response from Zelenskiy regarding the invitation to visit the Russian capital. The Ukrainian leader previously rejected a similar proposal, arguing that he could not travel to a country whose forces were launching daily attacks on Ukraine. At the time, he suggested that any face-to-face meeting should instead take place in Kyiv.

The possibility of a direct meeting between Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin has resurfaced repeatedly during the conflict, often viewed as a potential turning point. Kremlin officials have stressed that such a meeting would require extensive preparation and must be focused on delivering concrete results rather than symbolic gestures.

Russian presidential aides have said that Zelenskiy’s safety would be guaranteed if he chose to come to Moscow, an assurance aimed at addressing security concerns that have previously been raised by Kyiv. However, the political and symbolic implications of such a visit remain highly sensitive for Ukraine’s leadership and public opinion.

Major disagreements continue to stand in the way of a comprehensive peace deal. These include disputes over territorial control, particularly in regions occupied by Russian forces, as well as questions about possible international peacekeeping arrangements and the future status of strategic infrastructure such as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, voices within Russia reflect differing perspectives on the path forward. While Kremlin officials emphasize diplomacy, some regional leaders and hardline figures have called for continued military pressure, highlighting internal debates over how the conflict should be pursued or concluded.

International actors remain closely involved, with the United States playing a central role in facilitating dialogue. Washington has signaled cautious optimism about recent developments, with senior officials suggesting that the gap between the two sides may be narrowing, even as fighting on the ground remains intense.

Another round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, raising hopes that technical discussions could lay the groundwork for higher-level political engagement. Whether Zelenskiy will accept the invitation to Moscow, propose an alternative venue, or continue negotiations through intermediaries remains unclear.

For now, the Kremlin’s message appears aimed at projecting openness to dialogue while maintaining its negotiating position. As diplomatic efforts continue alongside military operations, the invitation underscores the complex balance between war and diplomacy that has defined the conflict, leaving the prospects for peace uncertain but still actively pursued.

Speaking during an official visit to Vilnius, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is now waiting only for confirmation from its partners on the date and venue for signing the agreement.

According to Zelenskiy, the proposed guarantees place the United States at the centre of Ukraine’s future security framework, reflecting Kyiv’s belief that American backing is essential for long-term stability.

He added that once the document is signed, it will move to the next stage of democratic approval through ratification in both the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament.

The announcement follows a fresh round of diplomatic engagement aimed at exploring pathways to end the nearly four-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Over the weekend, negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met in Abu Dhabi alongside US mediators for the first trilateral talks of this kind, though no final agreement was reached.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, officials from both Moscow and Kyiv signalled a willingness to continue discussions, suggesting that diplomatic momentum has not entirely stalled.

Zelenskiy described the talks as difficult but noted that the number of contentious issues under discussion has decreased compared to earlier stages.

Central to the negotiations is a US-backed framework reportedly containing around 20 points, designed to outline possible steps toward de-escalation and a political settlement.

While many of these points remain sensitive, Zelenskiy indicated that progress has been made in narrowing disagreements, even if core differences persist.

One of the most divisive issues continues to be territorial control in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has raged since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Zelenskiy said Russia is pressing Ukraine to abandon claims over regions it has failed to fully occupy, a demand Kyiv has firmly rejected.

Ukraine’s position, he stressed, remains unchanged, with territorial integrity seen as non-negotiable under international law.

Any proposal that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty, Zelenskiy said, would be unacceptable to both the government and the Ukrainian public.

The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that compromise is a necessary part of diplomacy but argued that it cannot come at the cost of fundamental national principles.

He added that mediators, including the United States, face the difficult task of bridging two fundamentally different positions held by Kyiv and Moscow.

If signed, the US security guarantees document could reshape Ukraine’s defence posture and its relationship with Western allies.

Analysts say such guarantees may deter future aggression by clarifying the extent of international support Ukraine would receive in the event of renewed conflict.

Zelenskiy’s remarks in Vilnius also highlighted the importance of continued European engagement, as Ukraine works closely with regional partners such as Lithuania and Poland.

These alliances, he said, reinforce Ukraine’s diplomatic standing and underline the broader regional stakes involved in ending the war.

While uncertainty remains over the timing and outcome of further talks, Kyiv appears eager to maintain diplomatic pressure while strengthening its security arrangements.

For Ukraine, the completion of the US guarantees document represents not an end to the conflict, but a potential foundation for a more secure future.

Speaking after the talks, Zelenskiy said the framework for security guarantees for Ukraine had been finalised, marking a key step forward in negotiations that Kyiv sees as essential to any lasting peace. However, he stressed that territorial integrity remains the most sensitive and unresolved issue, underscoring the deep divisions that still exist between the warring sides.

Zelenskiy also announced that negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to hold trilateral talks for the first time in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday. He framed the meetings as a positive development and a potential breakthrough, as direct engagement among all three parties has been limited since the conflict began.

Alongside security discussions, Zelenskiy said an agreement on Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery is close to completion. Such a deal would be a cornerstone of Kyiv’s strategy to rebuild infrastructure and revive growth after years of devastation, while also countering earlier peace proposals that Ukrainian officials believe leaned too heavily in Moscow’s favour.

Both leaders struck an optimistic tone after their meeting. Trump told reporters the discussion with Zelenskiy had been good and described the peace process as ongoing, while reiterating his belief that the war must end. He confirmed that U.S. envoys were travelling to Moscow to continue talks, adding to a flurry of high-level diplomatic activity.

Zelenskiy, who has made security guarantees a precondition for broader negotiations, said earlier this week that he would only attend Davos if agreements with Washington could be reached. Ukraine continues to face an energy crisis at home after repeated Russian air strikes damaged power and heating infrastructure, leaving millions without basic services during winter.

The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of attempting to freeze civilians into submission through sustained attacks on energy facilities, describing the strategy as a form of warfare against the population. He questioned why Russian President Vladimir Putin had not yet faced accountability, drawing comparisons with other international cases pursued by the United States.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said progress was being made in peace talks after meeting Ukrainian and Russian officials in Davos. He added that if all sides genuinely wanted a solution, an agreement was achievable, echoing cautious optimism among diplomats observing the process.

Witkoff and fellow U.S. envoy Jared Kushner were expected to meet Putin in Moscow later on Thursday, before heading to Abu Dhabi for further discussions. The talks are set to include military-level contacts and debate over a broader economic package linked to a potential settlement.

Russia has reacted cautiously to the U.S.-led initiative, maintaining demands that Ukraine cede parts of eastern territory, including areas Moscow has struggled to fully control militarily. Putin has said discussions would include reconstruction of occupied regions and proposals for new international peace mechanisms.

Financial markets responded positively to the diplomatic activity, with Ukraine’s international bonds rallying as investors grew hopeful that negotiations could lead to an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two. Despite the talks, fighting continued on the ground, with Russian strikes hitting several Ukrainian cities and causing civilian casualties.