White House envoy Steve Witkoff arrives before a news conference with President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo)Washington and its European allies could offer Ukraine a NATO-style security guarantee as part of a potential peace deal, a US official said Sunday. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who attended Saturday’s Alaska talks, told CNN that it was “the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that” and called the move “game-changing.”He said Moscow signalled openness to US-led “Article 5-like protection” for Ukraine, though details on how it would work remain unclear.Article 5 is the core of NATO’s defence pact, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Putin has long opposed Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.The possible shift is a significant step towards discussions at the White House happening today as per IST, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join Trump and European leaders.Trump hailed “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA” in a post on Truth Social, but later suggested Kyiv would need to make compromises. “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to… NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!” he wrote.Negotiating the guaranteesSecretary of State Marco Rubio, who also attended the Alaska summit, said the shape of any guarantee was still under discussion. “How that’s constructed, what we call it, how it’s built… that’s what we’ll be talking about over the next few days with our partners,” he told NBC.He stressed that while progress was made, “we’re still a long ways off” from a peace agreement.Story continues below this adWitkoff added that Russia had also agreed in principle to a law pledging not to seize more European territory or violate neighbours’ sovereignty.Also Read: | Zelenskyy says Russia ‘complicating’ peace efforts as Trump pushes Ukraine towards deal with MoscowEuropean reactionEuropean leaders cautiously welcomed the development.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “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.”Zelenskyy, speaking alongside her, thanked the US for the signal but stressed the need for clarity. “There are no details how it will work… and this is our main task: We need security to work in practice like Article 5 of NATO,” he said.French President Emmanuel Macron noted that substance would matter more than labels. He said European allies will ask Washington to support their own plans to bolster Ukraine’s forces and maintain a deterrent presence away from the front lines.Ceasefire vs peace dealTrump’s team defended his decision not to push for an immediate ceasefire. Witkoff said so much ground was covered in Alaska that the administration is now aiming for a broader peace agreement.Rubio told ABC News that no truce could have been reached on Saturday because Ukraine was not present. He added that while consequences await if no deal emerges, the priority is avoiding escalation.Story continues below this adThe thorniest question remains territorial concessions. According to European officials, Putin reiterated his demand for Ukraine to cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Donbas. Witkoff said Moscow prefers boundaries based on legal demarcations rather than shifting front lines. He suggested the issue would feature prominently in Monday’s talks.Zelenskyy, however, has rejected giving up territory. In Brussels, he said the “contact line is the best line for talking” and pointed to Ukraine’s constitution, which he said makes it “impossible to give up territory or trade land.”(With inputs from AP)Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Russia Ukrainevladimir putin