Washington/Brussels – August 20, 2025
European and U.S. military planners are entering a critical stage of negotiations on how to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security after the war, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge on August 18 to protect Kyiv under any eventual peace settlement.
The talks, involving NATO allies such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland, are aimed at shaping a framework that could reassure Ukraine of continued Western backing while also attempting to calm fears of open-ended conflict with Russia. According to diplomats familiar with the matter, proposals on the table range from stationing European security forces in western Ukraine to extensive intelligence and air-defense support coordinated by NATO.
President Trump, after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described Ukraine as “a frontline of Western civilization” and vowed that Washington “will not allow Kyiv to fall under Russian dominance again.” While he ruled out deploying American ground troops, the White House confirmed that the U.S. would be ready to provide air power, advanced weapons, and logistical support to any European-led security mission.
European leaders appear divided on the scope of commitments. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have signaled readiness to contribute non-combat troops, mainly in training and advisory roles, while Germany and Italy remain cautious, citing fears of further escalation with Moscow.
Analysts say the current debate reflects a broader challenge: how to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and deter future Russian aggression without drawing NATO into a direct war. “This is essentially about building a ‘mini-NATO’ guarantee,” said one senior European diplomat. “Ukraine needs ironclad assurances, but there’s no consensus yet on how far we’re prepared to go.”
For Ukraine, the guarantees could come in the form of long-term military aid, joint weapons production, and fast-tracked integration into European defense structures short of NATO membership. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stressed that only firm and enforceable commitments will persuade Ukrainians to accept any peace deal with Russia.
As negotiations continue, both Washington and Brussels are racing against time: a fragile ceasefire could emerge in the coming months, but without credible guarantees, Kyiv risks entering a post-war environment vulnerable to renewed aggression.