United States, Russia Discuss Security Guarantees for Ukraine

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Russia has agreed in principle to allow the United States and European allies to provide NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said in interviews with CNN and Fox News on Sunday.

According to Witkoff, the plan would see the United States and selected European partners extend protections to Ukraine similar to NATO’s Article 5 commitment, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. He emphasised that the arrangement would not be a NATO treaty but a set of commitments made directly by participating nations.

“We moved the Russians significantly past where we thought they were going to end up,” Witkoff told CNN. He added that Washington was “potentially prepared” to provide such guarantees and described the development as “really big.”

The statement followed a meeting in Alaska on Friday that included former President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and two Russian advisers. The talks focused on efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine and to establish long-term security assurances.

In a separate interview with Fox News, Witkoff clarified that the proposal would not obligate NATO as a whole to respond in the event of hostilities. Instead, the commitments would be made by the United States and individual European states, ensuring Ukraine’s defence through bilateral and multilateral arrangements.

Witkoff confirmed that both Ukrainian officials and European partners had been briefed on the discussions. He also stated that Russia signalled willingness to pledge not to occupy additional Ukrainian territory and not to cross European borders, framing it as part of a broader peace framework.

“This is the first time we are seeing real movement from Moscow,” Witkoff said. “The task now is to build on this progress and secure an agreement that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-determination.”

No formal agreement has been signed, and details remain under negotiation. However, the reported concessions represent a significant shift in the talks. Security guarantees outside of NATO membership are being viewed as a possible compromise that could provide Ukraine with protection while addressing Moscow’s objections to NATO enlargement.

The proposal remains under discussion, with further developments expected as negotiations continue among Washington, European capitals, and Moscow. Analysts say the outcome could reshape the security landscape in Eastern Europe and influence the future of U.S.-Russia relations.