Kyiv Urges ‘Cast-Iron’ Security Guarantees, Patriot Missiles as Ukraine and Allies Advance Postwar Plans

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for “cast-iron” postwar security guarantees and additional Patriot air defense missiles on Wednesday, Nov. 4, as Ukrainian, American and European officials met in Brussels to advance plans for Ukraine’s reconstruction and long-term security ahead of next week’s negotiations with Russia. In an extensive statement on X following a 90-minute conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelensky outlined Kyiv’s diplomatic and military priorities, including a proposed bilateral drone agreement with Washington and stronger guarantees against future Russian aggression.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The president confirmed that preparations were underway for trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the US and Russia, expected to take place in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11. He emphasized that Ukraine had already submitted its proposals to Washington and was prepared to advance negotiations. “The negotiations must move forward at full throttle to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible,” he said. “Ukraine is ready to take the necessary steps. Our proposals are clear, and we have given them to the American side.” The comments follow Washington’s announcement of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, where US representatives are expected to mediate discussions between Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Zelensky presses Washington for Patriot interceptors and drone agreement Zelensky said Wednesday’s conversation also focused on Ukraine’s urgent need for additional Patriot interceptors, as Russia continues targeting Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure with missiles and drones. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Holds 90-Minute Discussion With US Envoys Witkoff, Kushner As Ukraine prepares for Nov. 10-11 talks with the US and Russia, Zelensky continues to appeal for urgently needed Patriot interceptors. “Air defense is an important priority, and we discussed this as well,” Zelensky said. “We need interceptors for Patriot systems to protect lives from Russian attacks.” Ukraine has repeatedly warned that shortages of advanced air defense ammunition threaten its ability to protect major population centers and energy infrastructure, particularly against ballistic missiles. The issue has taken on increased urgency following Washington’s recent approval of a potential sale of 500 PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, although deliveries under the arrangement are expected to take years. Zelensky also called for progress on bilateral defense cooperation with Washington, specifically mentioning the proposed Drone Deal. “We must also continue working on each of the bilateral tracks with America. This applies to the Drone Deal format in particular,” he wrote. The proposed arrangement would expand defense-industrial cooperation between Ukraine and the US, drawing on Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience in developing and operating unmanned aerial systems. Ukraine has sought to strengthen cooperation with American manufacturers and investors as it expands domestic drone production and develops new technologies for modern warfare. Zelensky emphasized that any negotiated settlement must include reliable guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression. “Peace has no alternative, and postwar security guarantees must be truly cast-iron,” he said. Ukraine, US and European allies discuss postwar recovery in Brussels Zelensky’s remarks coincided with high-level consultations in Brussels, where Ukrainian representatives joined officials from the US, European Union, France, Britain, Germany, NATO and the World Bank to discuss Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic future. “The meeting focused on postwar recovery,” Zelensky wrote. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service and a senior member of Kyiv’s negotiating team, said the Brussels meetings focused on developing the proposed Prosperity Plan, an international framework for Ukraine’s postwar recovery and economic development. The Ukrainian delegation included representatives of the Economy, Finance and Defense ministries, as well as the President’s Office. Hosted by the European Commission, the talks built on earlier consultations in Miami and Oslo, bringing together Western officials, international financial institutions and business representatives to discuss reconstruction, investment and long-term economic stability. Separate security guarantees talks scheduled for Thursday A second round of consultations is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, focusing specifically on the security guarantees Ukraine would receive under a potential peace agreement. Umerov said representatives of Ukraine, the US, Britain, France, Germany and NATO would participate. “Security, recovery and development must be parts of a single plan for Ukraine after the war,” Umerov said. The discussions are expected to address long-term arrangements for safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and strengthening its defenses against future Russian aggression. As Kyiv Post reported, the Brussels consultations form part of preparations for next week’s US-mediated negotiations with Russia, where security arrangements and proposals for ending the war are expected to feature prominently. Zelensky has also emphasized that European countries must remain directly involved in decisions affecting Ukraine’s future, arguing that any settlement would have broader consequences for European security. Zelensky arrives in Spain for air defense and peace talks Meanwhile, Zelensky arrived in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and other leaders attending the Ibero-American summit. The visit will focus on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian missile and drone attacks, expanding defense cooperation and securing additional support from Spain. Zelensky is scheduled to meet Sánchez on Thursday, Nov. 5, as Kyiv coordinates with Western partners ahead of next week’s US-mediated negotiations with Russia in Abu Dhabi. The Ukrainian president also indicated that further contacts with American officials were planned during his visit as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. Zelensky awards Melania Trump Ukraine’s Order of Princess Olga In a separate development Wednesday, Zelensky awarded US First Lady Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, recognizing her humanitarian support for Ukraine and efforts to assist civilians affected by Russia’s invasion. According to presidential decree, dated Nov. 2, the award recognizes her contribution to protecting human rights and supporting Ukrainian children, including those unlawfully deported or forcibly displaced from Russian-occupied territories. The recognition follows Melania Trump’s involvement in securing a temporary humanitarian ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. The six-day arrangement facilitated humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of civilians from the occupied town. Melania Trump said nearly 800 people were evacuated during the operation. The White House announced that First Lady Melania Trump would host Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Washington on Thursday, Nov. 5, to further discuss the humanitarian initiative.