**Ukraine and Allies Working on Security Guarantees**
In a move that could potentially change the course of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 25 that his country and its allies are working on security guarantees. These guarantees would offer protection to Ukraine similar to what NATO countries receive under Article 5.
**A Peace Proposal in the Works**
The initiative was discussed at a meeting of U.S., UK, German, French, and Ukrainian officials in London on April 23. A peace proposal was shared with the US by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week, which calls for a NATO-like agreement backed by the United States. This agreement would provide security guarantees to Ukraine, similar to those offered to NATO countries.
**What Does It Mean?**
While Zelensky emphasized that Article 5 protection from NATO itself is not being proposed, he clarified that the security guarantees mirror the protection it offers. If Ukraine does not receive backing to join NATO, then security guarantees would be necessary, the President said. These are proposals, and responses to these proposals, not finalized security guarantees.
**A Glimmer of Hope?**
The news comes as a glimmer of hope for Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict with Russia since 2014. The proposal to extend NATO’s Article 5 protection to Ukraine was first floated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on March 19. She argued that it would be the simplest and most effective way to ensure Russia does not invade its neighbors again.
**What’s Next?**
The fate of these security guarantees remains uncertain. US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine could be barred from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal with Russia. The proposal is still in its early stages, but it marks an important step towards securing protection for Ukraine and potentially ending the conflict with Russia.
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