Zelensky promises updates on security guarantees in the upcoming days

As Ukraine and its allies work to craft a framework to prevent renewed Russian aggression in the event of a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 23 that developments on security guarantees will be presented “in the coming days.”

In a post on X about his call with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Zelensky said the discussion focused on security guarantees. “At present, the teams of Ukraine, the United States, and European partners are working on their architecture. All the developments will be ready in the coming days,” he wrote.

The announcement follows high-level talks in Washington. On Aug. 22, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Presidential Office Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak met to discuss a post-war security framework, building on President Zelensky’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the week.

National security advisers from the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and Finland also took part in the Aug. 22 discussions, alongside NATO and European Commission representatives. The working teams are reportedly aiming to finalize a plan by the end of next week.

Russia, however, has dismissed the effort. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Aug. 21 that security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be discussed without Russia’s participation and rejected proposals to station European troops in Ukraine, calling it “foreign military intervention.”

Zelensky expressed doubt about Moscow’s intentions. “Russia is showing no intention of peace on its side and continues shelling our cities,” he wrote. “We interpret all signals coming from Moscow these days in the same way. Pressure is needed to change their position, as well as a meeting at the highest level to discuss all issues.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed the skepticism, telling Helsingin Sanomat that Russia appears determined to prolong the war: “They want to continue the war at least until the fall to maximize their own territorial gains.”

Russia attacked Ukraine with 49 UAVs in 7 locations

Russian forces launched 49 drones against Ukraine overnight on Aug. 22–23, of which 36 were destroyed or electronically jammed, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

Thirteen drones struck targets in seven locations across Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy oblasts, the military said.

Earlier that night, explosions were reported in the city of Konotop, Sumy Oblast, during an air-raid alert.

Kellogg will visit Kyiv for the Independence Day of Ukraine

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg is expected to travel to Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day, Reuters journalist Graham Slattery reported on Aug. 21.

“Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg heads to Kyiv tomorrow, per sources, to participate in a prayer breakfast/Independence Day ceremonies. He’ll also discuss this week’s diplomatic flurry with leaders,” Slattery wrote on X.

The visit comes in the wake of the Aug. 15 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. That meeting raised concerns in Kyiv and across European capitals after Trump said he and Putin had “largely agreed” on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ahead of the summit, Trump suggested that both sides would need to “swap land,” sparking alarm among Ukraine’s allies.

Days later, Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington for talks on security guarantees and postwar planning. Zelensky and his allies urged the U.S. and Europe to commit to binding guarantees to protect Ukraine from future Russian aggression.

Slattery noted that Kellogg’s reported visit comes as U.S., Ukrainian, and European negotiators continue to “hash out security guarantees” seen as vital to Ukraine’s long-term security architecture.

Kellogg’s trip caps a week of intense diplomatic activity focused on Ukraine’s defense and prospects for a future peace deal.