The US may provide Ukraine with security guarantees in exchange for a compromise on Donbas
The American administration is discussing the possibility of providing Ukraine with security guarantees based on NATO’s Article 5. However, under the terms of the plan, Ukraine may concede Donbas, creating a demilitarized zone there.
According to Axios media, an unnamed senior US official claims that President Donald Trump’s administration is ready to prepare a security guarantee package for Ukraine, which will be approved by Congress. This package will be a legal basis for protection but will not imply unlimited obligations from the US.
It has also become known that on December 15 in Berlin, a meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled. It is expected that the negotiations will also involve leaders from Germany, France, and the UK. The meeting aims to agree on a peace plan, which includes creating a “demilitarized zone” in Donbas and potentially a “free economic zone.”
President Zelensky has already stated that the condition of the peace plan is the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas. Washington, in turn, proposes that the Russian army does not return to these territories. This issue provokes serious debates, and possible compromises may be submitted to a referendum in Ukraine.
The office of the Ukrainian president has denied reports that Kyiv agreed to the creation of a buffer zone. Meanwhile, an American representative declared that negotiations with Ukrainian and European partners show significant progress. The discussed solution includes maintaining Ukrainian sovereignty over 80% of the country’s territories with security guarantees and economic aid packages.
It remains unknown whether the Russian side will support these proposals, but negotiations continue. It is worth noting that the decision on such a peace plan may have significant consequences for regional stability and the future of Ukrainian-Russian relations.
| Key elements of the peace plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Security guarantees | Based on NATO’s Article 5 |
| Donbas | Creation of a demilitarized zone |
| Economic zone | Possible creation of a free economic zone |
| Sovereignty | Maintaining control over 80% of territories |
