US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine are closer than ever, following intense diplomatic discussions in which Washington proposed providing Kyiv with security guarantees similar to those offered by Nato.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he had held what he described as very long and very productive conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as with leaders of Nato and major European nations including Britain, France, and Germany. According to Trump, recent meetings between US officials, Ukrainian representatives, and European leaders in Berlin have pushed negotiations forward.
“We’re trying to get it done, and I think we’re closer now,” Trump said, expressing optimism that months of behind-the-scenes talks may finally be yielding results.
Trump also confirmed that he has spoken directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he declined to share details of those conversations. “We had numerous conversations with President Putin of Russia, and I think we’re closer now than we have been ever,” he said.
However, Trump’s comments also hinted at one of the most sensitive and controversial aspects of any potential deal. He appeared to suggest that Ukraine may be expected to concede the parts of the eastern Donbas region that remain under Kyiv’s control. When asked what incentive Ukraine would have to give up territory, Trump responded, “They’ve already lost the territory, to be honest,” a stance that Ukrainian leadership has previously rejected outright.
Trump emphasized that Europe would play a major role in any future security arrangement. European nations have once again floated the idea of deploying a multinational peacekeeping force, even as Moscow continues to oppose such a move.
Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has not yet publicly responded to the proposals being discussed by US, Ukrainian, and European officials during hours of negotiations in Berlin.
‘Article Five-Like’ Guarantees
Before Trump’s public remarks, US officials characterized the Berlin talks as constructive. The discussions were led by Steve Witkoff, a close associate of Trump and a key international negotiator, alongside Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
Officials cautioned, however, that Ukraine would also need to accept the framework of the deal. According to them, the proposal includes security guarantees modeled on Nato’s Article Five, the clause that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
“The basis of that agreement is to have extremely strong guarantees, Article Five-like, combined with a very strong deterrent through the size and strength of Ukraine’s military,” one US official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that these guarantees would not remain available indefinitely.
Trump has previously ruled out Ukraine’s formal membership in Nato and has echoed Russia’s argument that Kyiv’s ambitions to join the alliance played a role in triggering the conflict.
Still, another US official said there was confidence that Moscow would ultimately accept the deal. He described the proposed security package as “very, very strong” and suggested Russia might see it as acceptable if it truly ensures long-term stability.
“If there are violations, they will be addressed with the securities package,” the official said.
While there is still no agreement on territorial issues, US officials acknowledged that discussions with Zelensky included the possibility of creating an economic free zone in the contested areas currently under military control.
