Washington, D.C. – A special envoy for Donald Trump has claimed that Russia has agreed to a potential peace deal that would allow the United States and Europe to provide “robust” security guarantees to Ukraine.
Speaking to CNN, Steve Witkoff stated that at the recent Alaska summit, Russia agreed to allow the West to offer “Article 5-like language” to Ukraine, referencing the principle in the NATO treaty that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long opposed Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to meet with Trump and European leaders in Washington on Monday. Mr. Zelensky has called the US security guarantee offer “historic” and said it must be a practical arrangement that provides protection on land, air, and and at sea.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the British Prime Minister said that a group of nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, had commended Trump’s commitment to the security guarantees. The group also reiterated their readiness to deploy a “reassurance force” and help secure Ukraine’s armed forces once hostilities cease.
The BBC’s US partner, CBS, cited diplomatic sources as expressing concern that Trump may try to pressure Mr. Zelensky to accept a peace offer reportedly made by Putin at the Alaska summit. The offer would require Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region in return for Russia freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Mr. Zelensky has already rejected any proposal to give up the Donbas region.
Add Comment