European Leaders Push for Security Guarantees for Ukraine Amid Shifting US Support
This week, a security guarantee package for Ukraine may take shape as European leaders aim to leverage President Donald Trump’s clearer signal of support for Ukraine, solidifying Kyiv’s position ahead of a potential meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky, reports 24brussels.
On Tuesday, European officials discussed deploying British and French troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement, including details concerning troop numbers and deployment sites. According to sources, approximately ten nations are currently prepared to send troops to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the nature of US support remains somewhat uncertain.
“When it comes to security, they (the Europeans) are ready to send people on the ground,” Trump stated during an interview on Fox News. “We are prepared to assist them with equipment — primarily, probably, in the air, because we have assets that no one else possesses. However, I believe this will not pose a problem.”
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt later informed reporters that Trump understands the critical importance of guarantees for achieving lasting peace.
“He has directed his national security team to coordinate efforts with our European partners and to maintain contacts with Ukraine and Russia,” she noted.
Although Trump ruled out the involvement of American troops in combat, according to Levitt, Washington “can certainly assist with coordination and possibly provide other forms of security guarantees.”
In the coming days, representatives from European armies are set to meet with their US counterparts to clarify the parameters of “reliable security guarantees” and prepare for the deployment of forces aimed at ensuring peace following the cessation of hostilities.
This meeting will include NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe as well as the chiefs of staff from member states of the Alliance, sources indicated.
Conditions for the guarantees are expected to be agreed upon “in the next few days, ideally this week,” stated European Council President António Costa in Lisbon.
While European leaders view the White House meeting as a breakthrough, indicating a shift in Trump’s stance, many remain skeptical about the actual chances of a peaceful agreement — and whether mere security guarantees will be enough to deter Putin.
The Kremlin, which demands that Ukraine relinquish control over significant portions of the east, rejects the possibility of NATO troops being stationed on Ukrainian territory.
According to sources, the initial phase of the package currently being developed will focus on strengthening Ukrainian Armed Forces through training and reinforcements.
These units are set to support multinational forces, predominantly comprising European military personnel, including hundreds of troops from the UK and France. They are expected to be stationed in Ukraine, but outside combat zones.
Another component of the package entails an “American backstop” — involving US participation in intelligence sharing, border control, arms supply, and potentially air defense systems.
European officials anticipate that, at the very least, the US will continue to provide intelligence and weapon supplies through European partners.
Previously, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed creating NATO-style guarantees for Ukraine — without formal membership but with tangible commitments from allies in the area of defense. In Washington on Monday, she confirmed that this is one of the proposals under discussion among allies.
