Trump's Dramatic Shift on Ukraine Security
In a significant policy development, former President Donald Trump is preparing to offer Ukraine an unprecedented security guarantee that would commit the United States and European allies to treat any future Russian attack as an assault on the entire transatlantic community.
The proposed agreement, obtained by Axios, represents a major shift in Trump's approach to the ongoing conflict and signals his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to negotiate a peace settlement.
NATO-Style Protection for Ukraine
The draft plan models its security provisions directly on NATO's Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance that states an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all. This would mark the first time Trump has formally put such security assurances on the table for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the document, the guarantee would initially last for ten years but could be renewed with mutual consent. The agreement specifies that any "significant, deliberate, and sustained armed attack" by Russia on Ukraine "shall be regarded as an attack threatening the peace and security of the transatlantic community."
Substantial Concessions Required
The 28-point proposal comes with significant demands for Ukraine. Kyiv would be required to cede more territory than Russia currently controls, a concession that would represent a difficult political decision for Zelensky's government.
Additional provisions in the comprehensive plan include:
- Lifting international sanctions against Russia
- Providing amnesty for war crimes
- Reintegrating Russia into the global community
Growing Frustration with Putin
The security proposal follows Trump's unsuccessful attempt to broker peace through a bilateral summit with Putin in Alaska last August. The meeting concluded without any substantial commitments from Moscow, leaving the former president increasingly impatient with the Russian leader's stance.
A senior White House official confirmed to Axios that Russia has been briefed on the draft agreement, which includes signature lines for Ukraine, the US, European Union, NATO, and Russia itself. However, it remains unclear whether Putin's signature would be necessary for the proposal to take effect.
Long-Sought Victory for Zelensky
For President Zelensky, who has actively pursued security guarantees from Western nations for years, this proposal represents a potential breakthrough. The Trump administration views the plan as a "big win" for Ukraine's long-term security objectives.
The development comes as the Ukraine-Russia conflict prepares to enter its fourth year in February, with Trump having spent much of his first year back in office attempting to mediate between the warring nations.
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll presented Zelensky with an initial version of the plan last Thursday, though that document offered only vague assurances about "reliable security guarantees" compared to the specific NATO-style commitments in the current draft.
