In an unexpected diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly agreed to a proposal that would allow the United States and European allies to extend NATO-style security assurances to Ukraine as part of efforts to halt the ongoing conflict, according to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The announcement follows a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska last Friday. The discussions, which insiders described as strikingly in sync on the goal of brokering a comprehensive peace settlement rather than prioritizing a temporary ceasefire, marked a notable alignment between Washington and Moscow on their approaches to ending the war.
NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause underpins the alliance’s mutual protection pledge, dictating that an armed attack against one member is treated as an attack against all. The proposed security guarantees for Ukraine are said to mirror these principles, though the specifics of enforcement remain to be clarified, and this grant does not put Ukraine in NATO’s membership.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced strong support for the initiative on Sunday, indicating the European Union’s willingness to contribute to these new guarantees. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Washington’s commitment a “historic decision,” applauding U.S. support as a potential game-changer for Ukraine’s defense posture.
The Alaska summit, which Trump’s team characterized as “productive,” has yet to produce a detailed public account, with much of the substance of the talks closely guarded for now. President Trump campaigned in recent weeks for a resolution that would bring swift and enduring peace to Ukraine, rather than a temporary halt in hostilities.
Trump is expected to meet President Zelenskyy and leaders from across Europe on Monday to pursue what aides describe as an expedited peace agreement aimed at drawing to a close the bloodiest conflict Europe has seen in generations.
