Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders are heading to Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, with discussions centered on offering Ukraine NATO-like security guarantees.
The idea of providing Ukraine with collective defense protection gained momentum after Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where U.S. officials said Moscow showed openness to such an arrangement. While details remain uncertain, the proposal is being viewed as a potential breakthrough to deter future Russian aggression without formally admitting Ukraine into NATO.
Zelensky called the reported U.S. commitment to robust security guarantees “historic,” stressing that Ukraine cannot rely on Moscow for peace. European leaders are also pressing Washington to clarify the extent of its willingness to back such guarantees in any eventual peace agreement.
The Washington talks are expected to finalize the framework for security assurances, which supporters argue are crucial to ending the war on terms that safeguard Ukraine’s independence. However, questions remain about how far the U.S. is prepared to go, with Trump signaling a shift from seeking a ceasefire to pursuing a broader peace deal.