Witkoff: Putin Agreed To ‘Robust’ Security Guarantees For Ukraine + Would Not Attack Other Countries

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to “robust” security guarantees for Ukraine during their Friday meeting.

From The Hill:

Witkoff explained that Russia agreed to allow the United States and other European countries to “effectively offer [Ukraine] Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee,” referring to the provision of NATO that states an attack on one NATO member is seen as an attack on all members.

Russia has long opposed the idea of Ukraine being admitted to NATO, Witkoff noted, saying a key reason Ukraine has sought membership is for that protection.

Witkoff said other agreements included “legislative enshrinement within the Russian Federation not to go after any other territory when the peace deal is codified,” as well as “legislative enshrinement in the Russian Federation not to go after any other European countries and violate their sovereignty.”

Putin also reportedly said any peace deal would need international recognition of its annexation of Crimea and significant portions of eastern Ukraine including the Donbas region.

So, the upshot seems to be: Ukraine would get an end to the war and security guarantees against future Russian invasions, and Russia gets to keep 20% of Ukraine.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders are scheduled to discuss the issues further at a White House meeting with Trump on Monday.