Security Guarantees for Ukraine: Trump's Agreement with Putin and European Allies
President Trump has agreed in principle to offer "security guarantees" to Ukraine to protect its border from Russia after a potential peace agreement, as confirmed by The Post. The specifics of these security assurances, discussed between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, are still unclear. Trump has not committed to deploying US troops or granting NATO membership to Ukraine. The security measures could potentially be led by European nations with American backing, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously offered to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, which would shift the responsibility and costs of protecting Kyiv onto their countries after the US has already spent $200 billion since Russia's invasion in 2022. The US has a mutual defense agreement with the UK and France, which could provide a level of protection to Ukraine similar to NATO membership, a prospect Trump has rejected. Putin strongly opposes Ukraine's formal entry into the military alliance.
Under the hypothetical peace deal, Ukraine would relinquish land currently occupied by Russia. This agreement would require European allies of Ukraine to respond to any future attacks on the country, as reported by The Telegraph. Putin reportedly agreed to this arrangement. However, European leaders are seeking clarification on the role the US would play in such an agreement, according to sources cited by The Economic Times.
The potential security guarantee for Ukraine was proposed by the American side as a non-NATO Article 5 type guarantee, reportedly agreed upon with Putin, as per AFP sources. This development coincides with Ukrainian President Zelensky's upcoming visit to Washington, DC, where he is scheduled to meet with President Trump in the Oval Office on Monday.