Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing for a critical meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump, as discussions intensify around possible U.S.-European security guarantees for Ukraine. The meeting follows Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, where the two leaders moved from discussing a ceasefire to exploring a full peace agreement. European allies will also join the talks in a coordinated diplomatic show of support for Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Putin agreed to allow the U.S. and European partners to offer Ukraine strong security guarantees modeled after NATO’s Article 5, though not officially through NATO. This clause ensures mutual defense among allies. These proposed guarantees could be a key element in any future peace deal, although the exact framework and roles of the U.S. and Europe remain unclear.
Zelenskyy, speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the news and expressed gratitude for U.S. support. However, he emphasized the need for clarity on how the guarantees would function. He also stressed that Ukraine will not agree to any peace deal requiring territorial concessions, as the Ukrainian constitution prohibits surrendering land.
Zelenskyy made clear that any deal must not include giving up regions not currently under Russian control. He noted that despite years of attempts, Russia has failed to capture parts of eastern Ukraine since 2014, and Ukraine will continue defending its territory. His stance could prove a sticking point in negotiations.
In parallel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that a ceasefire remains an option, but stated that a complete peace agreement is the preferred path. He affirmed that all parties agree a full peace deal would be the ideal resolution to the war.
The high-stakes meeting is expected to shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and determine whether a viable path to peace with Russia can be forged without compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty.
