EU calls on Trump to station fighter jets in Europe to help protect Ukraine, locations revealed

In particular, European military leaders are discussing the deployment of US F-35 fighter jets in Romania. NATO is building its largest airbase in Europe, there to deter a potential renewed Russian invasion.

On August 18, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump ruled out deploying US troops on Ukrainian soil but stated he is willing to provide air support as part of US security guarantees.

Following this meeting, military leaders from the UK, Germany, France, Finland, and Italy gathered in Washington at the invitation of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley to discuss logistics for American support.

Currently, NATO is patrolling the airspace over the Black Sea from the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. During the Iraq War, this base served as a hub for US forces.

In addition to US fighters stationed in Romania, European countries are seeking guarantees for the continued use of American satellites for GPS and intelligence support in Ukraine.

They are also requesting shipments of Patriot and NASAMS surface-to-air missiles from the US to defend against Russian attacks, as well as permission for reconnaissance flights over the Black Sea. Since the beginning of the war, the Royal Air Force of the UK has conducted reconnaissance missions using Rivet Joint aircraft, but Boeing flights require US approval.

Security guarantees for Ukraine

During the August 18 meeting at the White House between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders, the key topic of discussion was security guarantees for Ukraine.

Allies are considering providing them under the principle of NATO’s Article 5, but outside the Alliance itself.

Trump did not rule out that the US could provide air support to Ukraine as part of these security guarantees. The US administration described this as an option and a possibility.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of the Willing announced its readiness to deploy deterrence forces on Ukrainian territory.

According to RBC-Ukraine, Russia is reportedly open to security guarantees for Ukraine, but they must be implemented on an equal footing involving China, the US, the UK, and France.