Europe negotiating assurances for Kyiv, excluding American military presence
In a series of significant developments, world leaders have been discussing potential security guarantees for Ukraine as peace talks with Russia loom.
The central figure in these discussions is Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of Germany, who announced that a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled within the next two weeks. This announcement comes after the dynamics of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska last Friday were reversed, according to German government circles, with US President Donald Trump largely aligning himself with the position of the Europeans.
Trump has expressed his support for a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that it would immediately stop the killing of people. However, he also mentioned the possibility of working on a deal where they aim for a peace agreement. British Prime Minister Starmer has announced that representatives of the Coalition of the Willing will meet with their US counterparts to solidify security guarantees for Kyiv and advance preparations for the deployment of peacekeeping troops in case of a ceasefire.
However, there is disagreement over the need for an immediate ceasefire as a precondition for peace talks. While Chancellor Merz continues to insist on this demand, Zelenskyy did not insist on a ceasefire before a meeting with Putin. Security guarantees against further Russian attacks are seen as a basic prerequisite for Ukraine to make concessions in negotiations.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which regulates collective defense, has been a topic of discussion. The United States is ready to support allies in securing a possible peace in Ukraine, for example from the air. Trump expects Germany, France, and Britain to be ready to send soldiers to Ukraine for security purposes, but Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Germany's contribution to the security guarantees is still undecided.
EU Council President António Costa spoke of growing momentum regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. He had also spoken to the Ukrainian president by phone after a video conference of the heads of state and government of the EU to review the Ukraine summit. British Prime Minister Starmer's announcement was followed by the initial public reaction from Russia, which was cautious. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that all contacts involving the heads of state must be prepared with utmost care.
As the talks approach, there is a sense of urgency to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The exact details of the security guarantees and the timeline for peace talks are still uncertain, but the international community is working diligently to find a solution that ensures the safety and security of Ukraine and its people.
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