US agrees to security guarantees for Ukraine amid territorial deadlock

WISE NEWS PRESS / BERLIN, GERMANY — DEC. 19, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States has agreed to provide legally binding security guarantees to Kyiv following two days of intensive talks with US and European officials in Berlin.

The negotiations, attended by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, centered on a revised 28-point plan that includes NATO-like protection based on Article 5 principles. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who hosted the meetings, expressed cautious optimism, stating that a ceasefire is within reach for the first time. Merz described the proposed US guarantees as "worth betting on," although Zelenskyy noted that the core issue of territorial integrity, particularly regarding the Donbas region, remains the largest obstacle to a final agreement.

The 'Platinum Standard' and European Involvement

US officials characterized the proposed security framework as a "platinum standard" of protection but warned that such a deal would not be permanent. Meanwhile, European leaders issued a joint statement calling for the deployment of a multinational force under European leadership to facilitate the redeployment of Ukrainian troops and protect national airspace. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted sharply to these developments, stating that European participation in the peace process was a negative signal for Moscow.

Future Elections and Territorial Concerns

Addressing claims by President Trump that Kyiv is using the war to avoid democratic processes, Zelenskyy signaled readiness for elections within 60 to 90 days, provided that voting security is guaranteed with allied support. However, the proposal for an "economic free zone" in the Donbas remains a point of contention. The plan would require Ukraine to withdraw from currently held positions without reciprocal Russian movement—a condition that Kyiv firmly rejects as a threat to national sovereignty.

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