Following a high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States is prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine. While the details are still being worked out, diplomatic sources suggest the proposal is a “non-NATO Article 5 type” guarantee, a form of collective defense-like support for Ukraine without formal alliance membership. This development is part of a broader push to secure a permanent peace agreement to end the ongoing conflict.
The proposal of security guarantees for Ukraine emerged after President Trump’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin and subsequent discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. According to reports from multiple news agencies citing diplomatic sources, the U.S. has put forward the idea of an “Article 5-type” guarantee, which would obligate the United States and other willing nations to provide support to Ukraine if it were attacked again. This framework is distinct from a full NATO membership, which Russia has long opposed.
The move is seen as an attempt to find a middle ground that can reassure Ukraine of its security while also addressing Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that America is prepared to be part of the security guarantees, emphasizing that the U.S. will not leave the effort to Europeans alone. This position marks a shift from earlier statements from the Trump administration, which had encouraged Europe to shoulder more of the security burden.
The specific terms of the guarantee and its implementation remain unclear. Some reports suggest that as part of a potential deal, Russia has demanded full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a condition for ending the war. Ukrainian officials have reportedly rejected this demand, insisting that no territorial issues can be decided without Ukraine’s participation. President Zelenskyy has stated that he will visit Washington to discuss all the details with President Trump, and European leaders have affirmed that international borders must not be changed by force.
The security guarantee proposal is part of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of countries supporting Ukraine that has been working on a framework for a future peace operation. The effectiveness of this force is highly dependent on U.S. support, including airpower and other military equipment, which European forces may not possess in sufficient quantities. The discussions signify a new phase in international efforts to bring an end to the conflict, shifting the focus from a temporary ceasefire to a lasting peace agreement.