Ukraine's Big Plans: Security, Money, and Peace Talks

Kyiv recently brought together key allies to discuss how to keep Ukraine safe and rebuild it after years of conflict. This meeting focused on three main things: security promises, economic recovery, and military support. The talks included national security advisers from several European countries, Canada, and representatives from the European Council, European Commission, and NATO. Ukraine's top envoy, Rustem Umerov, kicked off the event by outlining the three main topics: reviewing documents, planning economic recovery, and discussing military and political issues. The economic part of the talks was huge. Ukraine's Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko, said that rebuilding the country over the next 10 years could cost around $800 billion. She mentioned that this money would come from public funds, grants, loans, and private investments in areas like infrastructure, energy, industry, and education. There's also talk about a peace referendum. David Arakhamiya, a key lawmaker, said that Ukraine might finish drafting a referendum on peace proposals by the end of February. He suggested that this referendum should happen alongside a presidential election to get the highest possible turnout. However, this can only happen once a ceasefire is in place.Security guarantees are a big deal in these talks. Kyiv and its European allies want strong deterrents to prevent future Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been negotiating a bilateral security deal with the U. S. and has asked for guarantees that could last up to 50 years. Currently, the proposals are for 15 years with the option to extend. Zelenskyy also had a call with U. K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, discussing plans to deploy a multinational force in Ukraine after a ceasefire. Additionally, leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, a group supporting Ukraine, are set to meet in Paris on January 6th. Zelenskyy mentioned preparations for meetings in the U. S. as well. All this diplomatic activity comes as former U. S. President Donald Trump aims to end the war in Ukraine, a conflict that Russia initially thought would be quick but has dragged on for nearly four years. So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down, sticking to his demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from certain areas.