The Trump-Putin Alaska Summit produced a surprising breakthrough on Sunday, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announcing that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to allow Washington and its European partners to offer Ukraine a collective security guarantee similar to NATO’s Article 5 protection. The development, revealed in an interview, is the first time Moscow has signaled willingness to accept Western-backed defense commitments for Kyiv.
Witkoff explained that during Friday’s meeting in Anchorage, the U.S. pressed Putin to accept a framework that would give Ukraine strong security assurances without formal NATO membership. “We were able to win the following concession: that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO,” he said. According to the envoy, it was the first time Putin had voiced agreement to such a proposal.
The news quickly drew reaction in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, appearing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels, welcomed the outcome. She said that the European Union and its allies were ready to be part of what she described as a “coalition of the willing,” prepared to share the burden of guaranteeing Ukraine’s long-term security.
Witkoff, one of Trump’s closest diplomatic advisers, framed the Alaska talks as a turning point in negotiations that had long appeared stalled. He described the idea of offering Ukraine NATO-style protection as “game-changing,” emphasizing that both sides agreed to explore robust guarantees aimed at ending the war. He also said Russia had pledged to make a legislative commitment not to seek any further territory in Ukraine, a move that could signal the beginning of a broader peace framework.
The envoy defended Trump’s decision to ease off his earlier demand for an immediate ceasefire. According to Witkoff, the president shifted focus because significant progress was achieved on other issues during the talks. “We covered almost all the other issues necessary for a peace deal,” he said, though he stopped short of offering specific details.
For months, Trump has insisted that he could deliver peace within 24 hours if given the opportunity to engage Putin directly. The Alaska summit was his most ambitious attempt to do so, marking the first time Putin has set foot on Western soil since the invasion began in February 2022. While the meeting stopped short of a complete settlement, the outlines of a potential deal are beginning to emerge.
Zelensky, who has been cautious about the summit, acknowledged the importance of the U.S. and Europe moving closer to binding security commitments. Ukrainian officials have long argued that without NATO membership or equivalent guarantees, the country remains vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
Still, uncertainty remains over how these promises would be implemented. NATO’s Article 5 principle states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Adapting that principle to Ukraine without granting full membership would require careful coordination between Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv.
Witkoff suggested that Russia’s apparent moderation offered reason for cautious optimism. “We began to see some moderation in the way they’re thinking about getting to a final peace deal,” he said, noting that progress on security guarantees could serve as the cornerstone for a broader agreement.
The Trump-Putin Alaska Summit is already being viewed as one of the most consequential diplomatic encounters of the year. For now, the promise of NATO-style protection for Ukraine has raised hopes in Kyiv and European capitals, even as the path toward a full ceasefire and lasting peace remains uncertain.
