Ukraine Putin Agrees to Strong Security Promises for Ukraine: US Envoy

[webfact]

video screenshot

 

In a surprising development, Russia has agreed to allow the US and Europe to offer Ukraine "robust" security guarantees, according to US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

 

This agreement emerged from a recent summit in Alaska, with talks hinting at a NATO-like security promise for Ukraine, potentially an alternative to NATO membership, which Putin opposes.

 

Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, has hailed this move as "historical,", asserting that effective protection must encompass land, air, and sea with European assistance.

 

Ahead of upcoming talks in Washington, the UK, France, and Germany, as part of the "coalition of the willing," expressed their commitment to deploy security forces in Ukraine once peace is achieved.

 

Significant concessions appear to be on the table, with Russia reportedly willing to discuss territories like Donetsk. A potential peace offer involves Ukraine pulling out from the Donetsk region, while Russia would halt advances in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

 

However, Ukraine staunchly opposes surrendering Donbas, stressing a constitutional need for a referendum before any territorial changes, reported the BBC.

 

The Washington meeting marks Zelensky's first visit since a tense Oval Office encounter in February. Despite past tensions, recent interactions suggest a thaw in relations between Trump and Zelensky. Both leaders are set to engage in discussions alongside European heads of state.

 

Amid Ukraine's firm stance on not conceding Donbas, concerns linger about the impact of any potential agreement on Ukraine’s sovereignty. Moreover, the nature of US and European guarantees could play a critical role in shaping Ukraine's future security landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-18

 

[stevenl]

Security promises, those were in place already before Russia invaded. Trump is totally giving in.

[Will B Good]

44 minutes ago, webfact said:

In a surprising development, Russia has agreed to allow the US and Europe to offer Ukraine "robust" security guarantees,

 

 

How weird..... this is all **** about face?????.............all he has to do is stop invading Ukraine?

 

 

 

[Hamus Yaigh]

 

9 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Security promises, those were in place already before Russia invaded. Trump is totally giving in.

 

The 1994 Budapest Memorandum saw Ukraine give up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the U.S., and others, which failed to prevent Russia’s 2014 and 2022 invasions. Critics argue those assurances were weak, lacking binding commitments. The new guarantees discussed are framed as stronger, resembling NATO’s collective defense, but specifics remain vague, and Ukraine’s sovereignty over contested territories like Donbas is still a sticking point.

 

Is Trump “totally giving in”? The shift from his initial push for an immediate ceasefire to focusing on a broader peace deal suggests flexibility, not capitulation. Witkoff and Rubio emphasized progress on security guarantees and Russia’s legislative commitment not to violate other European countries’ sovereignty, but no ceasefire was secured, and Trump faces pressure to avoid ceding Ukrainian territory. Critics, including some Republicans, warn against trusting Putin, and Zelenskyy insists on no territorial concessions, citing Ukraine’s constitution. The upcoming August 18, 2025, meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders will clarify whether Trump’s approach compromises Ukraine’s position or balances peace with robust deterrence.

 

[dinsdale]

20 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Security promises, those were in place already before Russia invaded. Trump is totally giving in.

Security when Russia invaded when Obama and Biden were presidents? As it is now at least Putin has met with Trump and there seems to be some progress. Putin has the upperhand on the battlefield. Donbas is a sticking point. Russia has the military advantage here and is attriting Ukrainian forces which as it is is well undermanned and Russia continues to gain territory. Why do you say Trump's "totally giving in"? What is it you think Trump should be doing?

[Hamus Yaigh]

11 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

What is it you think Trump should be doing?

Trump should keep pressing for concrete, enforceable commitments from Russia while ensuring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and military support, balancing peace talks with strength to counter Putin’s leverage.

[stevenl]

26 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Security when Russia invaded when Obama and Biden were presidents? As it is now at least Putin has met with Trump and there seems to be some progress. Putin has the upperhand on the battlefield. Donbas is a sticking point. Russia has the military advantage here and is attriting Ukrainian forces which as it is is well undermanned and Russia continues to gain territory. Why do you say Trump's "totally giving in"? What is it you think Trump should be doing?

Irrelevant who was president where and when. A security promise is worth nothing. Even an 'NATO like' promise would be worthless. Trump already threatened to withdraw from NATO and not honour (article 5). 
If Russia were to invade let's say Estland, I would not trust NATO to retaliate.

"Why do you say Trump's "totally giving in"?" He is ceding Ukrainian territory and not giving anything worthwhile in return. 

[dinsdale]

7 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Trump should keep pressing for concrete, enforceable commitments from Russia while ensuring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and military support, balancing peace talks with strength to counter Putin’s leverage.

And exactly how can Trump stop Russia from taking the Donbas militarily because this is whats happening?

[Jingthing]

Putin's word is completely WORTHLESS.

Look at his history in that regard and you need to agree. 

The only way to get Putin to behave is to put him in a weak enough position that he is FORCED to behave.

 

[ezzra]

I had to choose between who to trust, the devil himself or Putin, I put my money on the former without a worry in the world.

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In a surprising development, Russia has agreed to allow the US and Europe to offer Ukraine "robust" security guarantees, according to US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

If you still keep believing in those kind of spin, there are bridges to sell. These kind of "developments" are a dime a dozen by Trump administration and Putin invasion and bombardment go on unhindered by a weak US President. If there is a new important development, it would have been announced in last week meeting. This is just a diversion suprious attempt to save some face after the disastrous and humilating meeting. The meeting was not for peace but a business meeting to tap into the Artic oil and gas. Trump has betrayed US foreign policy with another quid pro quo deal with US's enemy. 

[sammieuk1]

Unfortunately the guarantor Taco Trump forgets what he said will happen to Russia last week yet alone far into the future he is unreliable and insane lock him up 🤔

 

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

If you still keep believing in those kind of spin, there are bridges to sell. These kind of "developments" are a dime a dozen by Trump administration and Putin invasion and bombardment go on unhindered by a weak US President. If there is a new important development, it would have been announced in last week meeting. This is just a diversion suprious attempt to save some face after the disastrous and humilating meeting. The meeting was not for peace but a business meeting to tap into the Artic oil and gas. Trump has betrayed US foreign policy with another quid pro quo deal with US's enemy. 

Also anything out of the Putin's tool moron Witkoff's mouth is a complete joke.

His answer to what concessions Russia is offering in exchange for all being demanded of Ukraine?

A promise not to take all of Ukraine. Again, what a total MORON!