Ukraine requires authentic security guarantees, encompassing U.S. assistance, as stated by the Lithuanian president.
In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, followed by a series of meetings with European leaders. The talks are expected to focus on Ukraine's security and negotiations for a peace deal, as well as the current state of the conflict in Ukraine and potential solutions.
The European leaders set to meet with Zelensky include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The meetings may also involve discussions about real security guarantees for Ukraine, a topic that has gained significant attention in recent times.
The proposed security guarantees for Ukraine centre around a combination of reassurance forces and military support from the United States and European allies. This includes the deployment of a multinational European military force on Ukrainian territory to guarantee security and deter further aggression, with US logistics, intelligence, and military assets supporting this force.
The US reportedly remains willing to supply modern weaponry and supporting assets to Ukraine or to a European-led force as part of the comprehensive security guarantees package. Maintaining or expanding the provision of defensive arms is crucial for sustaining Ukraine's military capabilities.
Another key element is the need for Ukraine to maintain a sizable, well-equipped, and modernized military force as a key pillar of its own defense and security guarantee. This force would complement the presence of allied reassurance forces and underpin Ukraine’s sovereignty.
However, these efforts face strong opposition from the Kremlin. Russia demands private negotiations with the US on these matters and insists on a veto over such guarantees, which complicates prospects for implementing these proposals. Russia remains unwilling to engage in unconditional high-level talks with Ukraine on conflict resolution, further complicating formalizing security guarantees that Ukraine or its allies seek.
International pressure is increasing due to Russia's refusal to stop the killings in Ukraine. Despite Trump ruling out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, the White House envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on robust security guarantees for Ukraine during a meeting in Alaska on Friday. However, the Alaska summit did not result in a breakthrough regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Before the meetings with European leaders, Zelensky will first meet with Trump one-on-one. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has stated that Ukraine needs real security guarantees, including reassurance forces with US support and its own military strength. The exact agenda for the meetings has not been disclosed, but it is clear that the discussions will be crucial in shaping Ukraine's future security and potential peace deal negotiations.
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