Ukraine signals progress on US security guarantees after call with Trump envoys

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday touted new momentum toward ending the country's war with Russia after a high-level call with President Donald Trump's envoys, pointing to progress on a U.S.-backed security deal.

Zelenskyy announced in an X post that he and his officials had a "positive" conversation with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with talks centered around forging a "dignified peace."

"We agreed to strengthen security guarantees, and I have already instructed our team to promptly update the documents so that the security guarantees for Ukraine are strong, the prospects for post-war reconstruction are real, and everything is doable," Zelenskyy wrote.

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He emphasized Ukraine needs clear agreements so that its citizens understand exactly how international partners will respond to deter any renewed Russian aggression.

"We need strong, shared positions, and Ukraine's contribution to this strength is unquestionable," Zelenskyy wrote. "… I expect that the teams will work substantively in the coming days so that we can all feel progress. A trilateral format - a leaders' format - all of this is necessary."

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In a subsequent video, Zelenskyy reported Russia launched a massive wave of more than 700 drones Wednesday, including "shaheds," targeting Ukraine's energy sites, food warehouses and residential buildings across multiple regions.

Although Ukrainian forces intercepted roughly 90% of the incoming drones, Zelenskyy condemned the bombardment as Russia's direct response to Ukraine's proposal for an Easter ceasefire.

He noted that a halt in fighting during the holidays was intended to be a signal that diplomacy could be successful.

Beyond the U.S. and Europe, Zelenskyy said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is working to secure long-term defense contracts with several Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Turkey.