Vladimir Putin agreed to allow the US and its European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee at his meeting with Donald Trump, US envoy Steve Witkoff has said.
“We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in Nato," Mr Witkoff told CNN.
He added that it “was the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that” and called them “game-changing.”
Article 5, at the heart of the 32-member military alliance, states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all members.
Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with Mr Trump at the White House on Monday for a crucial meeting. Sir Keir Starmer will join Mr Zelensky, and other European leaders will be attending the talks.
At the Alaska summit on Friday, Mr Putin reportedly insisted Ukraine must surrender Donetsk and Luhansk in full and abandon its Nato aspirations. He offered to freeze the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, sources close to the meeting told The Independent.
Ukraine-Russia latest: Key points
- US envoy Steve Witkoff says Putin agreed to Article 5-like protections for Ukraine
- Starmer and Macron praise Zelensky’s push for ‘just and lasting peace’
- Zelensky hails ‘historic decision’ as US agrees to join security guarantees for Ukraine
- Russia agrees on security guarantees to Kyiv but Moscow also needs them - Russian diplomat
- US may not be able to create scenario to end war in Ukraine, Rubio says
What’s at stake when Zelensky meets Trump at the White House with Starmer and EU allies in tow
04:00 , Jabed Ahmed
What’s at stake when Zelensky meets Trump with Starmer and EU allies in tow
Recap | Starmer and Macron praise Zelensky’s push for ‘just and lasting peace’
03:00 , Jabed AhmedSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron praised Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire for a “just and lasting peace”, as the leaders prepare for talks in Washington with Donald Trump amid worries of a Russian land grab.
Giving a readout of the coalition of the willing call, a No 10 spokesman said: “President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer today co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘coalition of the willing’ leaders with the participation of President Zelensky.
“Leaders convened to discuss support for Ukraine and next steps in peace negotiations following President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.
“The leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelensky’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.
“The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the coalition of the willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.
“They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.
“The President and Prime Minister also informed leaders that they would travel to Washington DC tomorrow for a meeting with President Trump, alongside President Zelensky.”
What are Russia’s demands?
02:00 , Jabed AhmedAt the Alaska summit, Mr Putin reportedly insisted Ukraine must surrender Donetsk and Luhansk in full, abandon its Nato aspirations and declare neutrality. He offered to freeze the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, sources close to the meeting told The Independent.
Around 88 per cent of the Donbas is under Russian control. This includes almost all of the Luhansk region and 75 per cent of the Donetsk region.
Russia controls nearly 44,600 square miles or 19 per cent of Ukraine in total, including the Crimean peninsula, according to open-source maps of the battlefield.
Mr Zelensky has rejected the idea of handing over territory, insisting talks must be based on current front lines and begin with a ceasefire.
Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Mr Putin agreed to allow the US and its European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee at his meeting with the US president on Friday.
“We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in Nato," Mr Witkoff told CNN.
He added that it “was the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that” and called them “game-changing.”
Article 5, at the heart of the 32-member military alliance, states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all members.
Sir Keir commended Mr Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, following a meeting of the coalition of the willing on Sunday afternoon.
What will be discussed in Monday's meeting?
01:00 , Jabed AhmedThe talks are expected to cover territorial questions, including Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede Donetsk and Luhansk.
They are also expected to address security guarantees for Ukraine, which could potentially be backed by US air power.
The role of Nato and European allies in enforcing a settlement is likely to be discussed, alongside sanction pressures on Russia.
European leaders want to ensure Ukraine is at the table for all negotiations.
Speaking alongside Mr Zelensky in Brussels, Ms von der Leyen said: “With regards to any territorial questions in Ukraine, our position is clear: international borders cannot be changed by force.
“These are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine alone, and these decisions cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.”
European powers also want to help set up a trilateral meeting between Mr Trump, Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky to make sure Ukraine has a seat at the table to shape its future.
Marco Rubio blasts ‘stupid media narrative’ of Zelensky being bullied by Trump
23:40 , Jabed Ahmed
Marco Rubio blasts ‘stupid media narrative’ of Zelensky being bullied by Trump
Recap | Discussions on the future of Ukraine must include Zelensky, Starmer says
23:29 , Jabed AhmedThe prime minister has told European allies taking part in a call of the coalition of the willing that discussions on the future of Ukraine must involve Volodymyr Zelensky, The Independent understands.
Sir Keir Starmer, who chaired the video call on Sunday afternoon with Emmanuel Macron, delivered opening remarks alongside the French president.
European allies continue to be unified, the PM is understood to have said, before updating other attendees on the commitments Donald Trump made to providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister then said that any negotiations on Ukraine’s future must involve its president, as discussion turned to European leaders’ plans to travel to the White House on Monday to meet Mr Trump alongside Mr Zelensky.
He also spoke of how the coalition of the willing’s military planning is at an advanced stage, and pressed the importance of further financial sanctions on the Kremlin.
Russia agrees on security guarantees to Kyiv but Moscow also needs them, Russian diplomat says
23:09 , Jabed AhmedRussia agrees that any future peace agreement on Ukraine must provide security guarantees to Kyiv but Moscow also needs credible security assurances, a Russian diplomat has said.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organisations in Vienna, wrote on X: "Many leaders of EU states emphasise that a future peace agreement should provide reliable security assurances or guarantees for Ukraine.
“Russia agrees with that. But it has equal right to expect that Moscow will also get efficient security guarantees."
Full report | Top Trump envoy says Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine
22:59 , Jabed AhmedOur Washington DC Correspondent John Bowden reports:
Trump envoy says Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine
Trump shares First Lady Melania’s letter to Putin as he rages over coverage of Alaska summit
22:28 , Jabed Ahmed
Trump shares Melania’s letter to Putin as he rages over coverage of Alaska summit
A recap of today's events
21:59 , Jabed AhmedSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing” with Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of crunch talks in Washington on Monday with Donald Trump.
Leaders praised Mr Zelensky’s “just and lasting peace” vision and reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine. They also welcomed Mr Trump’s stated commitment to providing “security guarantees” through a proposed Multinational Force Ukraine.
The coalition pledged readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities cease, as well as efforts to secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and rebuild its armed forces.
Fears remain that Mr Trump could push Ukraine into territorial concessions after his Friday meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Reports suggest Mr Putin is demanding full control of Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for partial troop withdrawals.
American officials played down concerns. US secretary of state Marco Rubio warned Moscow would face “additional consequences” if no peace deal emerges, while Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claimed Russia had, for the first time, agreed to Nato-like protection for Ukraine.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said either a ceasefire or peace deal would “stop the killing”. Mr Zelensky agreed but stressed the outcome must deliver a “lasting peace” and prevent “just a pause” in the war.
European leaders including Mr Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Ms von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte will travel with Sir Keir to Washington for Monday’s Oval Office meeting.
Democrat Senator said Alaska summit was ‘great day’ for Russia: Putin was ‘absolved of his crimes in front of the world’
21:20 , Jabed Ahmed
Trump ‘absolved’ Putin of war crimes ‘in front of the world’, Democrat senator says
European leaders react after Coalition of the Willing talks with Zelensky
20:59 , Jabed AhmedPoland: Foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said peace can only come if “pressure is placed on the aggressor, not the victim,” stressing the need to maintain pressure on Russia.
European Council: President Antonio Costa said “transatlantic unity is paramount” for peace. He warned that if no ceasefire is reached, the EU and US must increase pressure on Moscow, and welcomed Washington’s readiness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
Czech Republic: Prime minister Petr Fiala said leaders agreed the immediate priority must be to “bring an end to the killing,” with clear US and European security guarantees for Ukraine “absolutely essential” for further negotiations.
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “very useful,” calling the US decision to join in providing security guarantees a “historic decision.” He said peace must be “fair, swift, and effective.”
Ireland: Taoiseach Micheal Martin reiterated that borders cannot be changed by force and said Ireland will “steadfastly support Ukraine.” He said sanctions will be reinforced if Russia continues its war and stressed the need for long-term security guarantees.
France: President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s plan was to “present a united front” alongside Ukraine in Washington. He warned that showing weakness towards Russia would “lay the ground for future conflicts.”
What happened the last time Zelensky met Trump?
20:28 , Jabed AhmedTheir previous Oval Office meeting in February ended in a dramatic confrontation.
A planned mineral deal signing ceremony collapsed as Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Mr Zelensky of being “ungrateful” and “gambling with World War III”.
Mr Zelensky pushed back, insisting there could be “no compromises with a killer” – a reference to Mr Putin.
The meeting was cut short, the joint press conference cancelled, and Mr Trump declared afterwards that Zelensky could “come back when he is ready for peace”, and temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine reports serious injury to Russian general in cross-border strike
20:01 , Jabed AhmedUkraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HRU) has said that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military column in the Kursk region overnight.
The strike reportedly seriously injured Lieutenant General Abachev, deputy commander of Russia’s North Group of Forces.
He was urgently flown to Moscow’s Vishnevsky Central Clinical Hospital by military transport aircraft, according to the HRU, where he underwent amputation of an arm and a leg as a result of his injuries.
Who is going to Washington?
19:59 , Jabed AhmedEuropean leaders confirmed to be attending include:
- Sir Keir Starmer, UK prime minister
- Emmanuel Macron, French president
- Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
- Alexander Stubb, President of Finland
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Mark Rutte, Nato Secretary General
- Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister
The Ukrainian president will travel with a strong backing after participating in a coalition call on Sunday afternoon, hosted by the UK, France, and Germany.
The so-called “coalition of the willing” aims to provide security guarantees, including policing any future peace deal with troops on the ground in Ukraine.
What’s at stake when Zelensky meets Trump at the White House with Starmer and EU allies in tow
19:41 , Jabed AhmedWhat to expect from Trump-Zelensky meeting in Washington as European leaders invited
Donbas: Why Russia is desperate to capture eastern Ukraine’s industrial heartland
19:11 , Jabed Ahmed
Donbas: Why Russia is desperate to capture eastern Ukraine’s industrial heartland
Watch | Ukraine residents hit out at Trump for 'rolling out red carpet to tyrant Putin'
18:46 , Jabed AhmedStarmer and Macron praise Zelensky’s push for ‘just and lasting peace’
18:39 , Jabed AhmedSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron praised Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire for a “just and lasting peace”, as the leaders prepare for talks in Washington with Donald Trump amid worries of a Russian land grab.
Giving a readout of the coalition of the willing call, a No 10 spokesman said: “President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer today co-chaired a virtual meeting of a grouping of ‘coalition of the willing’ leaders with the participation of President Zelensky.
“Leaders convened to discuss support for Ukraine and next steps in peace negotiations following President Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska.
“The leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelensky’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.
“The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the coalition of the willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.
“They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.
“The President and Prime Minister also informed leaders that they would travel to Washington DC tomorrow for a meeting with President Trump, alongside President Zelensky.”
What are Russia’s demands for ending the war?
18:24 , Jabed AhmedAt the Alaska summit, Mr Putin reportedly insisted Ukraine must surrender Donetsk and Luhansk in full, abandon its Nato aspirations and declare neutrality. He offered to freeze the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, sources close to the meeting told The Independent.
Around 88 per cent of the Donbas is under Russian control. This includes almost all of the Luhansk region and 75 per cent of the Donetsk region.
Russia controls nearly 44,600 square miles or 19 per cent of Ukraine in total, including the Crimean peninsula, according to open-source maps of the battlefield.
Mr Zelensky has rejected the idea of handing over territory, insisting talks must be based on current front lines and begin with a ceasefire.
Speaking to CBS on Sunday, Rubio said both Ukraine and Russia would have to make concessions to reach a peace deal and that security guarantees for Ukraine would be discussed on Monday.
He also said there would have to be additional consequences for Russia if no deal were reached. However, he said the US may not be able to create a scenario to end the war.
Full report | Top Trump envoy says Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine
18:11 , Jabed AhmedOur Washington DC Correspondent John Bowden reports:
Trump envoy says Putin agreed to ‘game-changing’ security protections for Ukraine
Discussions on the future of Ukraine must include Zelensky, Starmer says
17:54 , Jabed AhmedThe prime minister has told European allies taking part in a call of the coalition of the willing that discussions on the future of Ukraine must involve Volodymyr Zelensky, The Independent understands.
Sir Keir Starmer, who chaired the video call on Sunday afternoon with Emmanuel Macron, delivered opening remarks alongside the French president.
European allies continue to be unified, the PM is understood to have said, before updating other attendees on the commitments Donald Trump made to providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister then said that any negotiations on Ukraine’s future must involve its president, as discussion turned to European leaders’ plans to travel to the White House on Monday to meet Mr Trump alongside Mr Zelensky.
He also spoke of how the coalition of the willing’s military planning is at an advanced stage, and pressed the importance of further financial sanctions on the Kremlin.
European leaders react after Coalition of the Willing talks with Zelensky
17:49 , Jabed AhmedIf you are just joining us, here is how European leaders have reacted after the meeting between the “coalition of the willing”.
Poland: Foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said peace can only come if “pressure is placed on the aggressor, not the victim,” stressing the need to maintain pressure on Russia.
European Council: President Antonio Costa said “transatlantic unity is paramount” for peace. He warned that if no ceasefire is reached, the EU and US must increase pressure on Moscow, and welcomed Washington’s readiness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
Czech Republic: Prime minister Petr Fiala said leaders agreed the immediate priority must be to “bring an end to the killing,” with clear US and European security guarantees for Ukraine “absolutely essential” for further negotiations.
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “very useful,” calling the US decision to join in providing security guarantees a “historic decision.” He said peace must be “fair, swift, and effective.”
Ireland: Taoiseach Micheal Martin reiterated that borders cannot be changed by force and said Ireland will “steadfastly support Ukraine.” He said sanctions will be reinforced if Russia continues its war and stressed the need for long-term security guarantees.
France: President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s plan was to “present a united front” alongside Ukraine in Washington. He warned that showing weakness towards Russia would “lay the ground for future conflicts.”
What will be discussed in Monday's meeting?
17:31 , Jabed AhmedThe talks are expected to cover territorial questions, including Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede Donetsk and Luhansk.
They are also expected to address security guarantees for Ukraine, which could potentially be backed by US air power.
The role of Nato and European allies in enforcing a settlement is likely to be discussed, alongside sanction pressures on Russia.
European leaders want to ensure Ukraine is at the table for all negotiations.
Speaking alongside Mr Zelensky in Brussels, Ms von der Leyen said: “With regards to any territorial questions in Ukraine, our position is clear: international borders cannot be changed by force.
“These are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine alone, and these decisions cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.”
European powers also want to help set up a trilateral meeting between Mr Trump, Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky to make sure Ukraine has a seat at the table to shape its future.
Ukraine and Europe must present a united front in Washington talks, Macron says
17:23 , Jabed AhmedThe goal for Monday's talks in Washington between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky is to present a united front between Ukraine and its European allies, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.
"If we show weakness today in front of Russia, we are laying the ground for future conflicts," he said.
He said Kyiv's allies in Sunday's "coalition of the willing" meeting wanted a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine and for Ukraine's territorial integrity to be respected.
"Our plan is to present a united front, reiterating who’s on the side of peace and international law," he added.
Zelensky hails ‘historic decision’ as US agrees to join security guarantees for Ukraine
17:11 , Jabed AhmedUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked members of the Coalition of the Willing for what he described as a “very useful” discussion in Brussels ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington.
Writing on X, Mr Zelensky said leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, stressing that “borders must not be changed by force” and that key issues should be resolved with Ukraine at the table in a trilateral format alongside the US and Russia.
He hailed as a “historic decision” the United States’ readiness to take part in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, saying these must be “very practical, delivering protection on land, in the air, and at sea” and developed with Europe’s participation.
Mr Zelensky added that leaders also discussed ways to stop the killings “as soon as possible” and were working on a common vision of a peace agreement that would be “really fair, swift, and effective”.
Ukraine needs long-term security guarantees, Taoiseach says
17:07 , Jabed AhmedInternational borders must not be changed by force, Ireland’s premier has said.
Micheal Martin attended a virtual leaders’ meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine on Sunday.
Mr Martin, who will not be in Washington, said he had assured Mr Zelensky on Sunday that Ireland will “continue to steadfastly support Ukraine”.
EU leaders have agreed that sanctions and wider economic measures “will be reinforced” if Russia continues its military action.
The Taoiseach also said that he believes Ukraine needs “long-term security guarantees”.
Speaking after Sunday’s online conference, Mr Martin said: “I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine.
“We had a very useful engagement with President Zelensky as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington.
“I welcome the initiative by President Trump to seek the ending of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland, together with our European partners, continues to contribute to these efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Czech PM says security guarantees are essential for further Ukraine talks
16:53 , Jabed AhmedEuropean leaders agreed that Ukraine must receive security guarantees for there to be further talks about ending the war with Russia, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.
"The videoconference of the Coalition of the Willing was important for coordination ahead of tomorrow's meeting at the White House," he wrote on X.
"We agreed that the immediate priority must be to bring an end to the killing, and that clear security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States and Europe will be absolutely essential for further negotiations."
EU chief says ‘transatlantic unity is paramount’ for peace in Ukraine
16:30 , Jabed AhmedEuropean Council president Antonio Costa has said “transatlantic unity is paramount” in achieving a sustainable peace in Ukraine.
Writing on X after a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Mr Costa warned that if no ceasefire is agreed, “the EU and the US must increase pressure on Russia”.
He stressed that Ukraine’s sovereign right to determine its own conditions for peace “must be respected”.
Mr Costa also welcomed the United States’ willingness to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine “to deter future Russian aggression and to ensure, together, a just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, adding that “Europe stands ready to do its part”.
Who is going to Washington?
16:24 , Jabed AhmedEuropean leaders confirmed to be attending include:
- Sir Keir Starmer, UK prime minister
- Emmanuel Macron, French president
- Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
- Alexander Stubb, President of Finland
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Mark Rutte, Nato Secretary General
- Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister
The Ukrainian president will travel with strong backing after participating in a coalition call on Sunday afternoon, hosted by the UK, France, and Germany.
The so-called “coalition of the willing” aims to provide security guarantees, including policing any future peace deal with troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Coalition of willing meeting over
16:04 , Jabed AhmedA meeting of European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of talks in Washington has finished, the Polish foreign minister said.
"The Western Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine meeting concluded ahead of tomorrow's talks in Washington," Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X.
"I emphasised that for peace to come, pressure must be placed on the aggressor, not the victim."
High-tech drones turn Ukraine’s front line into a kill zone. Medics can’t keep up
15:58 , Holly EvansIn eastern Ukraine, quiet nights in the dim corridors of a front-line medical post can shatter in an instant. Medics roused from sleep rush to meet another stretcher wheeled in from the Donetsk front.
They work with urgency — chest compressions and shouted commands — until it becomes clear that the soldier arrived too late. The room falls silent as his body is sealed in a white bag.
He could not be saved, the anesthesiologist said, because evacuation took too long. By the time he reached the stabilization point, he was already dead.
Read the full article here:
High-tech drones turn Ukraine’s front line into a kill zone. Medics can’t keep up
Watch: Ukraine residents hit out at Trump for 'rolling out red carpet to tyrant Putin'
15:44 , Holly EvansEuropean leaders want to 'support Zelensky to the hilt', says former French general
15:30 , Holly EvansEuropean leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, are rallying around the Ukrainian leader after his exclusion from Trump's summit on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Their pledge to be at Zelenskyy's side at the White House on Monday is an apparent effort to ensure the meeting goes better than the last one in February, when Trump berated Zelenskyy in a heated Oval Office encounter.
"The Europeans are very afraid of the Oval Office scene being repeated and so they want to support Mr. Zelenskyy to the hilt," said retired French Gen. Dominique Trinquand, a former head of France's military mission at the United Nations.
"It's a power struggle and a position of strength that might work with Trump," he said.
'Big progress on Russia,' Trump says
15:17 , Holly EvansIn a message posted to his Truth Social account, President Trump said: “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!”
He also said: “It’s incredible how the Fake News violently distorts the TRUTH when it comes to me. There is NOTHING I can say or do that would lead them to write or report honestly about me. I had a great meeting in Alaska on Biden’s stupid War, a war that should have never happened!!!”
US may not be able to create scenario to end war in Ukraine, Rubio says
15:06 , Holly EvansThe United States will keep trying to create a scenario to help end Russia's war in Ukraine, but that might not be possible, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS on Sunday.
"If peace is not going to be possible here and this is just going to continue on as a war, people will continue to die by the thousands. We may unfortunately wind up there, but we don't want to wind up there," Rubio said in an interview with ‘Face the Nation.’.
"There are things that were discussed as part of this meeting that are potentials for breakthroughs, that are potential for progress," said Rubio, adding that topics for discussion would include security guarantees for Ukraine.
According to sources, Trump and Putin discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine ceding a swathe of fortified land in the east and freezing the front lines elsewhere.
Rubio said both sides would need to make concessions if a peace deal were to be concluded.
U.S. envoy says Putin agreed to Article 5-like protections for Ukraine as part of Trump summit
14:55 , Holly EvansSpecial U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said that Vladimir Putin agreed at his summit with President Donald Trump to allow the U.S. and European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee resembling NATO's Article 5 mandate.
"We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."
Witkoff said it was the first time he had heard Putin agree to that.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a news conference in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that "we welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine. and the 'Coalition of the willing' - including the European Union - is ready to do its share."
Witkoff, offering some of the first details of what was discussed at Friday's summit in Alaska, said the two sides agreeing to "robust security guarantees that I would describe as game-changing."
He added that Russia said that it would make a legislative commitment not to go after any additional territory in Ukraine.
Witkoff defended Trump's decision to abandon his push for Russian to agree to an immediate ceasefire, saying the president had pivoted toward a peace deal because so much progress was made.
"We covered almost all the other issues necessary for a peace deal," Witkoff said, without elaborating. "We began to see some moderation in the way they're thinking about getting to a final peace deal," he said.
Zelensky says current front lines should be the start for negotiations
14:34 , Holly EvansUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Brussels on Sunday, said the current front lines in his country's war against Russia should be the basis for peace talks.
"We need real negotiations, which means we can start where the front line is now," Zelensky said, adding that European leaders supported this.
Zelensky reiterated his position that it was necessary to establish a ceasefire in order to then negotiate a final deal.
EU's von der Leyen says content of ceasefire is more important
14:25 , Holly EvansEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Sunday the term "ceasefire" was less important than the need to stop the killing.
"It matters what's the effect. And the effect must be to stop the killing," von der Leyen said.
"So it's not the term itself, it's the content that matters. It is so important to have as soon as possible a trilateral meeting ... between the President of Ukraine, the President of the United States, and of Russia."
Is Zelensky about to walk into another White House ambush?
14:10 , Holly EvansThe free world’s most celebrated president is showing some mettle in agreeing to a meeting with the leader of the free world. When Volodymyr Zelensky walks into the Oval Office on Monday, he knows he’s risking another ambush.
The Ukrainian president is prepared to gamble that he’ll get another White House schoolyard bullying session, because there’s a slim chance that Donald Trump may finally have tired of being played by the Kremlin.
It is now conceivable, just, that Trump is prepared to consider security guarantees for Ukraine that reflect Nato’s Article 5, which could mean that if Ukraine signed up to a peace deal then its long-term future sovereignty and security would be protected, by force of arms, by allies including the US.
Read the full article here:
Is Zelensky about to walk into another White House ambush after Trump-Putin meeting?
Russia's FSB says it prevented Ukrainian drone attack on Smolensk nuclear power plant
13:54 , Holly EvansRussian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Sunday it had prevented a Ukrainian drone attack on the Smolensk nuclear power plant, Interfax news agency reported.
Earlier, Moscow’s forces announced they shot down 300 Ukrainian drones and struck storage sites for Sapsan missiles while fierce battles raged in the Donetsk region where Ukrainian forces were trying to halt a Russian advance, the defence ministry and war bloggers said.
"Four guided aerial bombs and 300 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by air defense systems," the ministry said.
State department papers left behind on Alaska hotel Trump-Putin summit details
13:30 , Holly EvansU.S. State Department documents containing sensitive government information were discovered on a public printer at an Alaska hotel, two hours before a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Eight pages — containing a schedule, several phone numbers of government employees, and a luncheon menu — were found in a public hotel printer at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, a 20-minute drive from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where the two world leaders met Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.
Three guests staying at Hotel Captain Cook found the pages around 9 a.m. Friday, two hours before the summit began, according to NPR. It’s not clear who left the papers but seven of the pages were “produced by the Office of the Chief of Protocol,” according to images obtained by NPR, which is part of the State Department.
Read the full article here:
State department papers left at Alaska hotel reveal Trump-Putin summit details
Swedish prime minister to attend Sunday's 'Coalition of the Willing' meeting
13:15 , Holly EvansSwedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson will virtually attend Sunday's meeting with the "Coalition of the Willing", ahead of President Volodymyr Zelenskiys visit to Washington on Monday, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office told Reuters.
Kristersson will however not fly to Washington together with Zelensky alongside other European leaders on Monday, the spokesperson said.
Mapped: The key territories Putin wants handed over to bring about peace in Ukraine
13:00 , Holly EvansAs all eyes turn to Washington DC on Monday, one of the key issues that is likely to be a sore topic for Volodymyr Zelensky is the prospect of relinquishing land to secure peace for Ukraine.
Despite launching an illegal invasion, Vladimir Putin is understood to have demanded that Kyiv surrender the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk provinces as a condition for ending the war.
Such a move would effectively hand over Ukraine’s industrial heartland, giving Russia control of the Donbas region, where the majority of the heavy fighting has taken place since February 2022.
Read the full article here:
Mapped: The key territories Putin wants handed over to bring about peace in Ukraine
Putin discusses Alaska summit with Belarus
12:45 , Holly EvansRussian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the press service of the Belarusian president said via its Telegram channel on Sunday.
"Two Presidents discussed the situation in the region in the light of the talks in Alaska. Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart in detail about the results of the last Russia-US summit," the press service said.
