President Donald Trump informed European and Ukrainian leaders that the United States is ready to ensure, under certain conditions, security guarantees for Ukraine – say three people familiar with the case. The conversation took place on Wednesday as part of a virtual meeting organized by Germany, which aimed to coordinate the positions of American and European before the Friday meeting of Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Three people – a European diplomat, a British clerk and a person informed about the conversation – said that the United States is ready to play a role in providing Kiev by repelling agression of Russia's future aggression if the weapon is suspended. The person informed about the conversation said that Trump said that he would take such a commitment only if NATO was not involved in it.
Security guarantees for Ukraine. The White House does not comment
Trump's openness to such guarantees – a key demand for both Ukraine and Europe – helps to explain the cautious optimism that European officials expressed after the conversation and before the Friday meeting. Trump did not specify what he understands by security guarantees, and only discussed the general concept.
Trump recognizes that a guarantee of security from the United States must be part of the final agreement. The White House has not yet responded to a comment on Trump's openness to the role of the United States in a security guarantee.
Regardless of the security guarantees, Trump clearly made it clear that the United States would not continue to deliver weapons or soldiers directly to Ukraine, although they would sell weapons to Europe – it will use it. It will probably also be limited and will certainly disappoint the supporters of Ukraine, who want more strong assurances from the United States to stop Russia from a possible invasion of Ukraine after the end of the fighting.
Although Europe has tried to conclude agreements regarding security guarantee without the participation of the United States, for example, creating a coalition of willing land forces that could help defend a possible peace agreement, she wants to get America's support for these efforts.
For most of his presidency, Trump opposed Ukraine with military assistance in the form of weapons. Although the United States does not send weapons directly, they have recently allowed Europe to buy American weapons, which will be sent to Ukraine – according to his administration, this move increased pressure on Moscow and convinced Putin to talk.
