US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine during their summit last week. He called it a major step toward a possible peace deal.
Putin Agrees to Security Guarantees
“In a very significant step, President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine and this is one of the key points that we need to consider and we’re going to be considering that at the table, also who will do what essentially,” Trump said, according to AFP.
Trump made the statement as he opened talks at the White House with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He added, “I think the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them and we’re going to make it very secure.”
A Shift in Moscow’s Position
Trump described the concession as a “significant step.” He said it showed a change in Moscow’s position and gave hope for a lasting settlement. The discussions, he noted, now focus on how different countries will share responsibility for Ukraine’s security.
US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Putin’s acceptance, calling it a game-changing moment. It was the first time Putin had signaled willingness to allow NATO-style protections for Ukraine.
US and Europe to Share Responsibility
Trump said the US would remain involved in Ukraine’s defense, but he expects European nations to carry most of the responsibility. “We’re going to help them,” he stressed.
He also suggested that “possible exchanges of territory” could be discussed. This idea, however, alarms Kyiv, which firmly rejects giving up any land.
War Adds Urgency to Peace Efforts
This diplomatic breakthrough comes as Ukraine continues to face heavy Russian attacks on civilian areas. The situation highlights both the urgency and the difficulty of achieving a lasting peace deal.
European Leaders React
During the Washington meeting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz disagreed with Trump’s approach. He insisted on a ceasefire before any leaders’ summit. “I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire, so let’s work on that and let’s try to put pressure on Russia,” Merz said, as quoted by AFP.
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested holding a four-party meeting among European leaders. He said it would complement Trump’s proposal for Zelenskyy and Putin to meet face-to-face. “I think as a follow-up we would need probably a quadrilateral meeting, because when we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent,” Macron explained.
Concerns About Trump’s Stance
European leaders from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO gathered in Washington to show unity. They pushed for strong, enforceable post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.
However, many of them remain cautious. They fear Trump might pressure Zelenskyy into a ceasefire deal that favors Moscow. Their concern grew after Trump’s warm reception of Putin at their recent Alaska meeting.
Zelenskyy Stands Firm
Zelenskyy said any peace deal must be “lasting.” He stressed that Ukraine cannot repeat past mistakes, such as losing Crimea and parts of Donbas or relying on broken security guarantees.