Why Trump is now signalling US security guarantees for Ukraine — and what it could mean for peace talks

US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin

US President Donald Trump told European leaders he was prepared to offer US security guarantees to Ukraine, marking a significant departure from his earlier stance. For months, Trump had resisted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s requests for such commitments, fearing they could drag America into another foreign conflict. His shift came after a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Trump relayed that Moscow insisted Ukraine cede eastern territory in exchange for halting advances elsewhere, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Putin’s position hardens after Alaska

According to European officials briefed by Trump, Putin was unwilling to commit to a cease-fire, insisting instead on continuing military operations until Kyiv agreed to territorial concessions. While US officials had been told before the Alaska meeting that Russia might accept a temporary cease-fire, Trump informed allies afterward that Putin preferred to keep fighting. This hardened stance aligned with the Kremlin’s long-standing goal of pressing Ukraine into submission while retaining battlefield leverage.

European leaders seize on Trump’s remarks

In a joint statement, leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Poland, Italy, Finland and the European Union welcomed Trump’s apparent willingness to extend guarantees, calling them “ironclad” protections for Ukraine’s sovereignty. While interpretations differed on whether US troops would be directly involved, Trump’s assurances included military and financial backing within a Western coalition framework. Some officials compared the concept to NATO’s Article 5, though with a more limited and tailored scope.

Zelensky awaits Oval Office meeting

The most consequential discussions now await Zelensky’s meeting with Trump in Washington on Monday. European leaders say Trump wants to broker a trilateral summit with Zelensky and Putin within a week, depending on how talks in the Oval Office unfold. Zelensky, long insistent on binding US guarantees, may now find himself with new leverage in negotiations, though he remains sceptical of any plan that allows fighting to continue while talks proceed.

Trump aligns closer to Putin’s peace framing

After insisting for weeks on a cease-fire as a condition for peace talks, Trump dropped that demand following his meeting with Putin. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said going “directly to a Peace Agreement” was the best route to end the war, arguing cease-fires often collapse. That stance mirrors Putin’s preferred approach, allowing hostilities to continue until a final deal is reached — something Ukraine has consistently opposed as a recipe for further losses.

Next steps and potential risks

Trump’s apparent embrace of security guarantees could create space for Ukraine to compromise without losing US backing. But it also introduces uncertainty: guarantees that fall short of NATO’s collective defence may embolden Russia, while commitments too strong could entangle Washington in long-term military obligations. As Trump prepares for his Oval Office session with Zelensky, European capitals are watching closely to see if the US president’s words translate into binding commitments or remain vague promises.