Steve Witkoff said it was the first time he had heard the Russian president agree to the suggestion – and called it “game-changing”.
Putin has agreed to allow Ukraine's allies to offer it a NATO-like security guarantee as part of an eventual deal to end the war, according to US special envoy Steve Witkoff
Read more🔗https://t.co/4kMeRVLv1Y
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 17, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to allow Ukraine’s allies to provide it with NATO-like security guarantees as part of a possible peace agreement, US special envoy Steve Witkoff disclosed on Sunday. The concession emerged during a high-stakes meeting between Putin and former US President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday.
Witkoff, who attended the summit, told CNN: *”We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO.”* Article 5, NATO’s collective defense clause, ensures an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the development, calling it a “historic decision” in a post on X. He stressed that guarantees must include “protection on land, in the air, and at sea” and involve European collaboration. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed the EU’s readiness to contribute.
However, Putin reportedly demanded control of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for withdrawing from other occupied territories—a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. Trump is expected to urge Zelenskyy to consider the terms during White House talks on Monday, attended by EU leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
European officials emphasized that any peace deal must involve Ukraine’s direct participation. Downing Street stated Starmer would “reaffirm unwavering support” for Kyiv. Meanwhile, speculation grows over a potential three-way negotiation involving Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump to finalize an agreement.