US President Donald Trump claimed during a meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and European backers at the White House that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to accept security guarantees for Ukraine. The assertion came after a summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska, which both leaders described as a positive step toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. Trump emphasized that the agreement is a key point to consider, with discussions ongoing on how to ensure mutual cooperation. Ukraine has consistently demanded guarantees akin to NATO’s collective defense, but Russia and the US have both ruled out Ukraine’s membership in the alliance. The Kremlin has not yet commented on the latest remarks, although it has previously stated that it would not tolerate Western troops on Ukrainian soil.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, suggested shortly after the Trump-Putin meeting that the US could offer “Article 5-like protection” to Ukraine, referencing NATO’s principle that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. However, the Kremlin has not commented on the latest remarks, but has previously stated that Russia would not tolerate Western troops on Ukrainian soil. Putin has maintained that Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO are one of the root causes of the conflict.
During the meeting, Trump stated “President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine,” without elaborating. He added, “This is one of the key points that we need to consider. We are going to be considering that at the table also, like who would do what.” Trump expressed optimism that the collective effort could result in an agreement to deter any future aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been insisting on guarantees similar to NATO’s collective defense as one of the preconditions for a lasting peace.
Zelensky, who has been meeting with European backers, has also expressed support for a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump. The discussion has raised questions about the potential for a new agreement between the involved parties, which could influence the future of the Ukraine conflict.