**Written by Observer Network’s Xiong Chao Ran**: According to a report from the US “Politico News” on August 17th local time, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Witkoff expressed his views on the recently concluded US-Russia summit in Alaska. The two leaders unexpectedly agreed to allow the provision of post-war security guarantees to Ukraine.
Witkoff told CNN, “We have reached an agreement that the United States and other European countries can effectively provide similar Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (collective defense clause) language to cover security guarantees.” However, it is worth noting that this statement has not yet been confirmed by Russia.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated in a declaration, “The United States is prepared to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, which is a historic decision. As a result of our joint efforts, these security guarantees must be very pragmatic and able to provide protection on land, air, and sea, and must develop with the participation of Europe.”
The report stated that for Europeans who lobbied before the US-Russia summit, the progress made in security guarantees is good news, but the assessment by US Secretary of State Rubio that Russia is unlikely to quickly agree to a ceasefire is concerning. Zelensky said that Ukraine is striving to reach an agreement aimed at stopping fighting and is prepared to negotiate on issues of territorial changes as part of a peace agreement with Russia, but Ukraine will not abandon the land not yet occupied by Russian forces.
Zelensky emphasized his willingness to negotiate with Russian President Putin in future talks mediated by US President Trump. “Given the importance of territorial issues, they should only be discussed by Ukrainian and Russian leaders in a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia,” he said. “So far, there is no sign from Russia that a trilateral meeting will be held. If Russia refuses, new sanctions must be taken.”
On August 18th, Zelensky met with Von Der Leyen.
On the afternoon of August 17th local time, after meeting with other pro-Ukrainian national leaders such as British Prime Minister Starmer and French President Macron, the UK expressed its appreciation for Trump’s clear attitude towards providing security guarantees for Ukraine and reiterated their commitment to “deploying a (security) guarantee force after hostile actions have stopped.” On the same day, Zelensky met with European Commission President Von Der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium. He then held a press conference and made a speech. He will fly to Washington on August 18th local time to meet with Trump.
On the same day, the New York Times reported that Trump indicated that he had reached a consensus with Putin on “many issues” and had informed European leaders that he believed peace negotiations could be achieved if Ukraine agreed to abandon the territory in the east of the country. Currently, in key areas of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, including the strategic cities of Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, the Ukrainian military has been resisting the Russian offensive.
“We need real negotiations,” Zelensky stated in Brussels. “This means they can start from the current front lines, which are the best routes for negotiations.”
Zelensky believed that Russia has been trying to control the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine since 2014 but has not succeeded. He added that Putin “has not been able to take the region in 12 years, and according to Ukrainian constitution, it is impossible to abandon territory or exchange land.”
Previously, on August 11th local time, the Daily Telegraph disclosed that “Zelensky’s stance has softened,” and Ukraine might agree to a ceasefire and compromise on territorial issues. Just one day later, on August 12th local time, the BBC reported that Zelensky had explicitly stated that Ukraine would reject any proposal from Russia to exchange a ceasefire for the Donbas region, and warned that the region could be used as a “springboard” for future Ukrainian attacks.
“Politico” reported last week that Ukraine would not discuss issues of territorial exchange unless Russia first accepts and abides by a ceasefire agreement, and Moscow has consistently refused to set a date for a ceasefire.
On August 15th, 2025 local time, in Alaska, US President Trump and Russian President Putin shook hands at a conference.
After the US-Russia summit, Zelensky confirmed that he would visit the White House to meet with Trump on August 18th. On August 17th, multiple European politicians confirmed that they would also attend the meeting in the United States. Currently, the European politicians confirmed to attend the meeting include UK Prime Minister Starmer, French President Macron, German Chancellor Merz, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Finnish President Stubbe, NATO Secretary General Lute, and European Commission President Von Der Leyen.
As it seems to realize that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will continue, many European leaders including the President of the European Council Costa and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Carras have stated that they will increase sanctions against Russia. This will likely be a key topic of discussion during the Trump-Zelensky meeting and the European delegation’s visit.
“The ball is back in Europe’s court, and Europe is eager to come up with a unified plan before heading to the United States for a meeting,” CNN said. Trump’s sudden reversal of a principle reached just a day ago, leaving Europeans shocked. The core point is that a ceasefire must be in place before any peace negotiations can begin in Ukraine.
During an exclusive interview with Fox News, Trump said he has always had a good relationship with Putin, gave a “perfect score” to their meeting, and that the ceasefire depends on Ukraine. “We’re very close to reaching a deal, but Ukraine has to agree, President Zelensky has to agree. And Europe has to ‘do some things,’ ” Trump said.
CNN said Europeans believe it’s best not to contradict Trump in public, but to try to emphasize the positive aspects, such as Trump’s mention of providing “security guarantees” to Ukraine.
Although Trump once suggested that Russia would face “serious consequences” if it didn’t agree to a ceasefire, and even threatened to impose secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers, in reality, Putin didn’t budge in Alaska, and Trump didn’t pressure him, suspending further sanctions against Russian oil buyers.
” Whoever goes into the Oval Office with Zelensky will have an unenviable task of trying to convince Trump to accept European principles, which he himself had already agreed to,” CNN wrote.