U.S. President Donald Trump declared a significant breakthrough in peace negotiations for the Russia-Ukraine war, revealing that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to accept security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a broader peace settlement.

The announcement came during a high-stakes White House summit on Monday, where Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside key European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“In a very significant step, President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider,” Trump emphasized during a joint session with European leaders. He noted that European nations would take primary responsibility for implementing these guarantees, with the U.S. providing support to ensure Ukraine’s long-term security.

Trump expressed confidence in reaching a lasting agreement, downplaying concerns about renewed Russian aggression. “Collectively, we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine, and I actually think there won’t be. I think that’s largely overrated,” he said. He added that within “a week or two,” it would become clear whether the war could be resolved or if fighting would persist.

The summit followed Trump’s recent meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025, which failed to produce a ceasefire but laid the groundwork for further talks. Trump highlighted the Alaska summit as evidence that “peace is within reach,” telling reporters, “It’s gonna be fantastic. Actually, I think we’re gonna have a successful talk.”

Trump announced plans to organize a trilateral summit involving himself, Zelenskyy, and Putin to advance negotiations. “The next step would be for a trilateral meeting, and that will be worked out,” he said, stressing that any final decision rests with Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, in agreement with Putin. Trump also suggested that Russia might soon release over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war, possibly “very soon, like immediately,” and indicated that discussions would include “possible territorial adjustments” based on current front lines.

Zelenskyy confirmed that territorial issues are under consideration, describing them as “sensitive matters” to be addressed directly among leaders. He expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We had a very good conversation with President Trump, and it really was the best one, or, sorry, maybe the best one will be in the future.” He underscored the importance of U.S.-backed security guarantees as a cornerstone of any peace framework.

European leaders at the summit emphasized the need for robust security guarantees to protect Ukraine from future Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron called for a quadrilateral meeting to ensure European representation in follow-up talks, stating, “When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged partners to pressure Russia to advance negotiations, expressing hope for a ceasefire before the next high-level summit. “To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire and the latest from the next meeting on. I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire,” Merz said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Trump for opening dialogue with Putin, noting: “You broke the deadlock basically with President Putin by starting the dialogue. You had the first phone call, and from there we are now where we are today.” Rutte suggested that a resolution could be near if negotiations are handled effectively.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted “real progress” toward securing guarantees for Ukraine, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to diplomatic and security support.

Despite the optimism, tensions remain. Zelenskyy has consistently rejected ceding territory, particularly the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Putin’s demands, reiterated during the Alaska summit, include Ukraine withdrawing from Donetsk and Luhansk, limiting its military, and abandoning NATO aspirations—conditions Kyiv has dismissed as unacceptable.

European leaders expressed concern that Trump’s pivot from demanding a ceasefire to pushing for a comprehensive peace deal without one could favor Russia, which controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy reiterated the need for a ceasefire to halt killings, stating on X, “Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war.”

Recent developments indicate progress toward formalizing security guarantees. Zelenskyy noted that details would likely be finalized within 10 days, potentially including a NATO-style collective defense agreement led by European nations with U.S. involvement. Additionally, Ukraine has proposed purchasing $90 billion in U.S. weapons through Europe to bolster its defenses, a move Trump has signaled support for.

Since the White House summit, diplomatic efforts have intensified. On August 18, Zelenskyy met with Trump’s Special Representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, in Washington, reinforcing Ukraine’s push for “reliable and lasting peace.” European leaders, including von der Leyen, have reaffirmed their commitment to sanctions on Russia until a just peace is achieved.

Reports suggest a potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting could occur in Hungary within two weeks, following Trump’s call with Putin during the White House summit. However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has rejected NATO troop deployments in Ukraine as part of any security guarantees, complicating negotiations. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that a trilateral summit was not discussed, casting doubt on Moscow’s commitment.

The White House summit marks a pivotal moment in the Russia-Ukraine peace process, with Trump’s mediation opening new channels of dialogue but raising concerns about concessions. As Zelenskyy prepares for potential direct talks with Putin, Ukraine remains firm on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while European allies advocate for ironclad security guarantees. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Trump’s diplomatic push can end Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades or if Russia’s maximalist demands will prolong the war. (ILKHA)