Europe demands security guarantees for Ukraine: What happened behind closed doors
Europe and Ukraine (Photo: Getty Images)
European partners, ahead of the Ukrainian president’s visit to the US, discussed strategies for communicating with Washington and potential risks of the talks, focusing particularly on territorial issues, security guarantees, and a future peace agreement, according to SPIEGEL.
Pre-US visit guidance
According to an English transcript of a closed video conference involving the Ukrainian president and European leaders, some participants urged Kyiv to exercise restraint during the upcoming meeting with Donald Trump.
The discussion emphasized the need to find an agreement framework with the US on key points, including territorial matters, security, and the country’s reconstruction, while advising Kyiv not to go too far and to be careful with wording.
Reaction of conference participants
The German government officially declined to comment on the content of the confidential talks. However, one participant confirmed that the general summary of the discussion was accurate but refrained from commenting on specific quotes due to the closed nature of the meeting.
Security guarantees and Europe’s role
According to the transcript, European leaders urged accelerating work on security guarantees and defining the role of European countries. They noted that delays could give the impression of a lack of a unified position.
At the same time, several heads of government reminded that matters of security guarantees or possible military presence require approval by national parliaments.
Request for specifics from the US
The prime ministers of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway asked the Ukrainian president to provide detailed information after the Washington talks regarding potential US commitments, emphasizing that any agreements must be formally documented.
There was also advice not to make official territorial concessions without clear and confirmed security guarantees.
Uncertainty over Russia’s position
The issue of Moscow’s response to the updated peace plan was also discussed. European leaders recommended clarifying with Trump what the next steps would be if Russia rejects the proposed formula. Diplomats later acknowledged that Russia’s stance on territorial issues remains unclear.
European leaders held urgent consultations on the situation in Ukraine following Kremlin statements about strengthening its negotiating positions, which came amid allegations of a supposed Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence.
Ukraine is set to hold a series of important consultations with partners from the Coalition of the Willing and continue negotiations at the level of world leaders. Reports indicate that a meeting of national security advisors from coalition countries has already been agreed upon for January 3 in Ukraine, with the dialogue continuing at a leaders’ summit on January 6 in France.
