The United States has proposed offering NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal with Russia, in a move allies say could mark the most significant breakthrough in negotiations since the war began.
According to US and European officials, the proposal would provide Ukraine with Article 5-like protections, committing Western powers to respond if Ukraine were attacked again. While Ukraine would not become a NATO member under the plan, the guarantees are designed to deter future Russian aggression and reassure Kyiv that any ceasefire would not simply pause the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed what allies described as “serious progress”, saying strong security guarantees were essential after years of Russian violations of previous agreements. German opposition leader Friedrich Merz and other European figures also hailed the talks as a step toward a sustainable peace framework.
However, major obstacles remain. Territorial issues are unresolved, with Russia still occupying large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. US officials have acknowledged that discussions include possible territorial compromises, though Kyiv insists that any final decisions about land must be made by Ukraine alone. Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected recognising Russian sovereignty over occupied areas.
The talks have involved senior US envoy Steve Witkoff alongside European and Ukrainian representatives, reflecting a coordinated Western effort to shape a post-war security architecture. Officials say the guarantees could involve rapid military assistance, intelligence sharing and long-term defence support, rather than permanent troop deployments.
Critics argue the proposal risks freezing the conflict on terms favourable to Moscow if territorial questions are deferred too long. Others warn that offering NATO-like protections without full membership could blur red lines with Russia and test Western unity.
Despite the challenges, diplomats say the talks represent the clearest pathway yet toward ending nearly four years of war, even as intense fighting continues on the ground. Negotiators stress that progress remains fragile and that no agreement will be final until Ukraine’s security and sovereignty are credibly protected.
