US President Trump says a Ukraine peace deal is closer than ever after Washington offers Kyiv NATO-like security guarantees in Berlin talks.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said a deal to end the Ukraine war was closer than ever after Washington offered Kyiv NATO-like security guarantees.
Trump stated he had “very long and very good” talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from NATO, Britain, France, and Germany.
“We’re trying to get it done, and I think we’re closer now,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office regarding recent talks in Berlin.
He confirmed recent direct conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, “we’re closer now than we have been ever.”
Trump suggested Ukraine might need to cede remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region it still holds in exchange for security guarantees.
“Well, they’ve already lost the territory, to be honest,” he said when asked about Ukraine’s incentive to give up land.
He noted Europe would be a “big part” of any security guarantee, referencing a proposed multinational peacekeeping force.
US officials described the Berlin talks, led by Trump associate Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as positive.
They warned the offer of strong security guarantees, akin to NATO’s Article Five, “will not be on the table forever.”
One official said the basis was “really, really strong guarantees — Article Five like — also a very, very strong deterrence” via Ukraine’s military size.
Another official expressed confidence Russia would accept the deal, citing “very, very strong” security guarantees.
The official suggested Russia would be taken at its word of having no intention to violate the agreement, but violations would be addressed.
A US official acknowledged no territorial agreement exists but said an “economic free zone” in contested areas was discussed with Zelensky.
Russia has not yet reacted to the proposal being negotiated by US, Ukrainian, and European officials. – AFP
