In a major breakthrough in peace negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war with Russia, U.S. officials announced Monday that Washington has agreed to provide security guarantees to Ukraine modeled on NATO’s collective defense clause. The offer, described as “Article 5-like,” came during two days of high-stakes discussions in Berlin involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, top envoys for U.S. President Donald Trump, and key European leaders.
The unprecedented proposal is seen as a crucial element for securing a lasting peace agreement, as Kyiv has repeatedly stressed the need for legally binding assurances against future Russian aggression. NATO’s Article 5 stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all; while the U.S. offer is not a formal treaty, officials indicated it would require approval from the U.S. Senate, underscoring its gravity.
According to U.S. officials who spoke anonymously, the details of the security package presented to the Ukrainian delegation include a European-led multinational force, strongly backed by the United States, operating inside Ukraine. The mission would focus on assisting in rebuilding Ukraine’s military, securing its airspace, and supporting safer seas, with Ukrainian forces maintaining a peacetime strength of approximately 800,000 troops.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who joined the dinner via a call, expressed optimism about the progress. “I think we’re closer now than we have been, ever,” Trump told reporters later. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accompanied by U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, led the talks and provided the Ukrainians with a more specific written document detailing the proposed guarantees, addressing Kyiv’s earlier concerns about clarity.
However, a major sticking point remains: the fate of the occupied Ukrainian territories. While U.S. officials claim consensus on roughly 90% of the U.S.-authored peace plan—which reportedly includes a Russian indication that it is open to Ukraine joining the European Union—Kyiv continues to reject ceding territory in the eastern Donbas region. President Zelenskyy called the talks “substantial” but noted that differences remain, particularly over territory, which he has described as “painful.” He has, however, expressed a readiness to drop Ukraine’s long-standing bid to join NATO if Western nations provide security guarantees similar to those enjoyed by alliance members. U.S. officials cautioned that the offer of security guarantees would not be on the table “forever,” suggesting a pressing deadline for Kyiv to consider the proposal. Further talks are anticipated this weekend in the U.S.
Sources and Links
- Associated Press (AP) / 2News.com: “US officials say Washington has agreed to give Ukraine security guarantees in peace talks.”
- The Washington Post: “U.S. offers Ukraine security guarantee in bid to strike peace deal.”
- The Guardian: “Ukraine war briefing: US offers Nato-style security guarantees to Kyiv.”
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