"This is a historic decision with the US ready to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine. With our joint efforts, these security guarantees must be truly practical, helping to protect us in the air and at sea, as well as with European participation," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 17/8, after an online meeting with a group of allied European countries, including the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany.

Steve Witkoff, special envoy of President Donald Trump, previously said Russia accepted letting the US guarantee Ukraine's security under a mechanism similar to NATO's collective defense agreement, after the current conflict ends.

Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that any attack on one member of the alliance is considered an attack on all members, and NATO will coordinate a response.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on 25/6. Photo: AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on 25/6. Photo: AP

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's special envoy to international organizations, said Moscow agreed that a future peace agreement would include security guarantees for Kyiv, but stressed that Moscow also needed reliable guarantees.

"Many European leaders emphasized that a future peace agreement needs to provide reliable security guarantees for Ukraine. Russia agrees with that, but Moscow also has the right to expect effective security guarantees in return," Ulyanov said.

Several top European leaders will join President Zelensky in Washington to meet with President Trump on 18/8.

Following the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15/8, Trump suggested the parties should aim for a comprehensive peace agreement to end the Ukraine conflict, rather than pursuing a ceasefire. He also said the Ukraine conflict would end with territorial concessions and security guarantees from the US.

Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to discuss territory as part of an agreement, but will not give up land not currently controlled by Russia.

"We need real negotiations. That means they can start from the current front line, which is the best position for negotiations," he said.

The Ukrainian president added that he is ready for direct talks with Putin in a meeting mediated by Trump. "Because the territorial issue is so important, it should only be discussed between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia in a trilateral meeting including Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington," he said.

Thuy Lam (AFP, Politico, Reuters)