Washington, August 2025 – In an unprecedented move that could transform the trajectory of Eastern European conflict, a senior U.S. envoy revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to offer security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace agreement that might emerge between Washington and Moscow.
At a closed-door briefing in Washington, an envoy involved in high-level negotiations between Western allies and Russia claimed these talks were the most tangible step toward de-escalating since conflict first flared up in February 2022.
According to Putin’s envoy, he acknowledged that any future agreement must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and security without leading to what the Kremlin refers to as “NATO encirclement”. While details remain under discussion, his envoy suggested that international powers like the U.S., EU, and China could help formalize Ukraine’s security framework.
“President Putin has shown openness to a framework where Ukraine’s neutrality would be respected while territorial integrity would be guaranteed by multilateral guarantees,” according to an envoy of Ukraine. This does not mark a final deal but shows progress being made towards diplomacy.
Balance Neutrality and Protection.
The proposed guarantees will likely take the form of non-aligning security arrangements that do not align Ukraine with any major power. Such an approach would limit Ukraine from joining NATO immediately while offering commitments from major powers to respond in case any violation takes place against Ukrainian borders in future. Analysts note that such an arrangement could mirror past security accords, with stronger enforcement mechanisms.
“Ukraine seeks assurances that go beyond mere words on paper,” noted the envoy, noting that guarantees should include clear mechanisms for enforcement, deterrence and economic support.
Officials in Kyiv have yet to respond specifically to U.S. envoy John Roos’s statements; however, they have confirmed their leadership’s commitment to maintaining peace and sovereignty of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky has long insisted that any deal must include international guarantees strong enough to prevent another incident like 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea regardless of prior agreements.
“These guarantees need to be credible and supported by powerful states in order for Ukraine to accept them, otherwise this will simply be empty promises or compromises which risk undermining our independence,” stated an anonymous senior Ukrainian diplomat.
Moscow’s Position
While Russia has yet to respond publicly to the claims of its envoy, in recent weeks its officials have hinted at negotiated settlements if Western nations agree to limit NATO’s eastward expansion. President Putin appears willing to accept third-party guarantees which suggest softening rhetoric but experts caution that Kremlin often uses diplomatic signals strategically.
Observers remain sceptical that words will translate to action on the ground. Many peace efforts in the past have failed due to diverging demands over territory, sovereignty and military alliances; yet Washington’s disclosure indicates that channels of dialogue remain active between both sides and that negotiations could soon commence on an agreeable framework for negotiations.
“This isn’t peace yet,” stated the envoy, but with both Moscow and Kyiv engaging in good faith, there may finally be the outlines of an agreement which brings security to Ukraine while maintaining stability throughout Europe.