A major diplomatic push is underway in Washington as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joins top European leaders for talks with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday, aims to shape a new security framework for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing offensive.
Trump had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Though no ceasefire was reached, both sides agreed to offer “robust security guarantees” to Ukraine.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who joined the Alaska summit, called the Russian concession “game-changing.”
“We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection,” Witkoff said.
Article 5 is the backbone of NATO’s defence pact. It treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Ukraine has long sought NATO membership, but Putin’s resistance has blocked that path. The new proposal could offer a workaround.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks would focus on “how it’s built, what guarantees are enforceable.”
He admitted Trump hadn’t fully committed yet, calling the move “a huge concession.”
Zelensky Rejects Russian Guarantees, Calls US Offer ‘Historic’
Zelensky, speaking in Brussels alongside European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, dismissed Russia’s promises.
“What President Trump said about security guarantees is much more important to me than Putin’s thoughts,” he said.
“Putin will not give any security guarantees.”
He later described the US offer as “historic” in a social media post.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO’s Mark Rutte, are joining Zelensky in Washington.
They call themselves the “coalition of the willing.”
Macron Slams Russia’s Peace Proposal, Moscow Fires Back
Macron said Russia’s idea of peace was “a capitulation.” Moscow responded sharply.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it “an abject lie.”
She claimed Russia had been pushing for peace under the Minsk Accords for seven years.
“Macron is trying to convince Ukraine it can win on the battlefield, even when he knows that’s impossible,” she said.
Trump, meanwhile, posted on his Truth Social platform, hinting at a shift toward a peace deal.
Zelensky said he saw “no sign” Putin was ready for a three-way summit with him and Trump.
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