Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said the White House has scored important wins during Friday’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, even though President Donald Trump did not get the ceasefire he had pushed for.Witkoff told CNN on Sunday that the most significant outcome was the agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine, described as “Article 5-like protections,” which he called “game-changing.”“We didn’t think that we were anywhere close to agreeing to Article Five protection from the United States in legislative enshrinement within the Russian Federation, not to go after any other territory when the peace deal is codified,” Witkoff said. He added that United States and other European nations reached an agreement to provide Article 5-like security guarantees.Ahead of the Alaska meeting, Trump had issued warnings about consequences if Russia did not commit to a ceasefire. Despite the high-profile summit, which included a red carpet welcome for Putin, no concrete plans for a follow-up meeting were established, as reported by Politico. Despite an inconclusive summit, Witkoff had expressed his optimism. He said the discussions marked the first time the US has seen meaningful accommodation from Russia, more than during previous administrations. He emphasized the need to build on this progress.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Monday to meet with Trump, accompanied by several European leaders. Trump has signaled willingness to contribute to security guarantees for Kyiv in a final settlement to help deter future Russian aggression.Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence called Witkoff’s account of the proposed security guarantees “encouraging,” but warned the White House to keep in mind that Putin remains the main threat in the conflict.“I served alongside the president for four years. I know his style in dealing with these dictators,” Pence said. “It’s the velvet glove. But I think the hammer needs to come and it needs to come immediately.”
