Washington is pushing for Ukraine to sign a peace deal before agreeing to any security guarantees, according to a report by Politico. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed EU officials that Washington prioritizes security guarantees for Ukraine but views them as a separate matter from the peace agreement. Ukraine, however, insists it wants post-conflict assurances before signing any agreements, with Moscow opposing one-sided guarantees aimed at containing Russia.
According to Politico, Rubio told EU officials that the U.S. views security guarantees for Ukraine as a priority but as a separate issue from other parts of a peace deal. He reportedly signaled that U.S. President Donald Trump will discuss the guarantees with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky after Kiev approves the U.S. peace plan proposed last week. The plan requires Kiev to abandon several long-standing ‘red lines,’ including renouncing NATO membership, recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the Donbass republics, and capping its army at 600,000 troops.
However, Kiev and its Western European backers viewed the draft as favoring Moscow and scrambled to prepare a counter-proposal, reportedly removing or amending key issues such as territorial concessions, Ukraine’s NATO bid, and the size of the Ukrainian army. The counter-proposal reportedly includes security guarantees for Ukraine modeled on NATO’s Article 5 collective-defense clause, committing guarantor states to defend Ukraine against potential aggression.
Zelensky has said he wants to meet with Trump to discuss the plan further, insisting that his European backers be present for the talks. Trump has said he will meet with Zelensky when the peace deal is “in its final stages.” Moscow largely welcomed Trump’s peace proposal, saying it could serve as the basis for a final settlement, but accused Kiev’s European backers of trying to undermine peace efforts and distort the plan “for their own agenda.” Russia has said it is ready to discuss the U.S. proposals, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expected to visit Moscow next week.
The situation has heightened tensions between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, with each side seeking to protect its strategic interests. While the U.S. aims to secure Ukraine’s long-term security, Ukraine remains committed to its sovereignty and NATO aspirations. Moscow, on the other hand, warns against any guarantees that could be used to justify further aggression, emphasizing the need for a balanced and mutually acceptable peace deal.
As negotiations continue, the outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for regional stability, international relations, and the future of Ukraine’s integration with Western institutions. The resolution of this crisis will depend on the willingness of all parties to find common ground and prioritize peace over political and strategic gains.