In a teleconference, US officials evaluated the current situation regarding the end of the war in Ukraine and the security architecture planned to be created.
A US official stated that they want Russia to consider the option of Washington providing "security guarantees" similar to NATO's Articles 4 and 5 to Ukraine and NATO providing similar assurances.
"What will be presented to them will actually be very similar to NATO. Of course, some other arrangements need to be made between the parties for this," the official said. he said.
Emphasizing that a possible US commitment in this direction would be an important development, the official noted that Washington's final decision depends on President Donald Trump.
The official stated that if Trump agreed to provide such a security guarantee, it would be a "very important gain" for Ukraine, and that this issue should be discussed between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Security guarantees and the land issue are interconnected
The US official emphasized that post-war security arrangements will be decisive in resolving territorial disputes between Russia and Ukraine.
Explaining that the parties are concerned that the other side will use the ceasefire to rearm and prepare for a new war, the official said that for this reason, only ensuring a ceasefire will not be enough, and mechanisms must be established to ensure permanent stability after the war.
The official reminded that Russia demands the entire Donetsk region and Ukraine wants the existing line of contact to be taken as basis, and stated that the parties showed a certain degree of flexibility in private negotiations.
However, the official stated that the territorial issue cannot be resolved before the post-war security arrangements are clarified, and that the two chapters will be carried out in parallel and that it is envisaged that they will be concluded together in the final agreement.
US wants Europe to take more part in negotiations
The US official stated that they have been carrying out intense coordination with Ukraine and European partners for the last two months, and that representatives of NATO and the European Union, as well as Germany, France, England and Italy, will also take part in the new negotiation process.
Stating that Washington aims to move from the current tripartite negotiation format to a more comprehensive multilateral negotiation mechanism, the official emphasized that it is now necessary for Europe to be directly at the table in the negotiations with Russia.
The official said Ukraine and European partners support this approach, and the United States will try to include Russia in the broader negotiation format.
They pointed to Europe in Ukraine's security spending
Touching on the military capacity and economic sustainability of post-war Ukraine, another US official noted that determining Kiev's defense needs is as important as how these needs will be financed.
The official stated that Ukraine should have a military structure that can ensure its security after the war, and emphasized that Trump wants Europe to assume more responsibility in financing Ukraine's post-war security and that this is decisive for them.
The official also said that the fight against corruption and structural reforms are on the agenda to ensure post-war economic recovery in Ukraine, and that the World Bank is leading the work on this issue.
The USA also sees sanctions against Russia as a bargaining chip
Stating that sanctions against Russia are one of the topics that can be discussed in the negotiations, the US official stated that sanctions can be used not only for punishment but also to encourage behavioral change.
The official noted that in this context, the option of gradually easing sanctions if Russia complies with a possible agreement and reintroducing them if Russia violates the agreement may be considered.
The US official stated that they see signs that Russia is more willing to end the war than in previous periods and that they are "cautiously optimistic" about the future of the negotiations.
