Assured commitments for Kiev exempt from American military presence
In a series of significant developments, the United States is prepared to provide key supporting assets to a European-led security force in Ukraine as part of postwar security guarantees following a possible peace agreement.
According to reports, the U.S. contributions would include strategic enablers such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); command and control (C2); and air defense capabilities. The U.S. would supply aircraft, logistics, and ground-based radar to support a European-enforced no-fly zone and air shield over Ukraine.
This security arrangement would have three defense lines. Ukrainian troops would defend behind a demilitarized zone patrolled by neutral peacekeepers. A European-led deterrence force would operate further inside Ukraine as a "third line of defense." U.S. assets would be positioned deeper in the rear.
However, this plan faces opposition from the Kremlin, which rejects the presence of NATO country troops as part of any security arrangements for Ukraine.
The developments come after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to German government circles. The Selenskyj-Putin meeting is planned within the next two weeks, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Trump has also expressed a liking for the concept of a ceasefire but also emphasized the need to work on a peace agreement. However, there is disagreement over the need for an immediate ceasefire as a prerequisite for peace talks. Selenskyj does not insist on a ceasefire before a meeting with Putin, preferring to meet without preconditions.
The European Union is also actively involved in these discussions. EU Council President António Costa spoke of growing momentum regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and called for efforts to be accelerated. British Prime Minister Starmer announced that representatives of the Coalition of the Willing will meet with their US partners to specify security guarantees for Kyiv and advance preparations for the deployment of peacekeeping troops in case of a ceasefire.
Trump has largely aligned himself with the position of the Europeans regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. He is seeking a bilateral meeting between Selenskyj and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting. However, Moscow is open to any format of talks but cautions that contacts involving heads of state must be prepared with great care.
The French President Emmanuel Macron warned against a hasty peace treaty without solid guarantees. The German government hailed the Ukraine summit in Washington as a historic meeting. Germany and its partners are working on security guarantees for Ukraine, with the whole of Europe expected to participate, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
However, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the details of Germany's contribution are undecided. Trump agreed to support security guarantees for Ukraine but did not provide details after the meeting.
[1] Source: Reuters, "U.S. to provide key support to European-led security force in Ukraine - sources," 2022.
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