Trump ready to provide Ukraine security assurances, but not through NATO - Politico

Three sources, a European diplomat, a British official, and a person familiar with Trump’s Wednesday calls with Europe and Ukraine, provided the same information.

According to them, if a ceasefire is reached, the US is prepared to play a role in providing Kyiv with deterrents against potential future Russian aggression.

However, the source familiar with the conversation clarified that Trump said he would only take on such commitments if they were not conducted under NATO.

The US president did not specify exactly what he meant by security guarantees, discussing only the broader concept.

The British official noted that Trump recognizes US security guarantees should be part of a final settlement of the war and believes the US has played a key role in this process.

Politico adds that whatever form the guarantees take, Trump made it clear that the US will not continue directly supplying weapons or troops to Ukraine, though arms may be sold to Europe for use by Ukraine.

“It also is likely to be limited - and is sure to disappoint Ukraine’s backers who want more robust assurances from the US to deter Russia from invading Ukraine again once the fighting is over,” the report states.

It remains unclear whether this conclusion is the Politico editorial judgment or the interpretation of the sources.

What preceded this

Tomorrow, August 15, US President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine - specifically, its resolution.

The meeting will take place without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising concerns in Europe that the future of Ukraine and European security could be decided without Kyiv’s direct input.

For this reason, leaders of the Coalition of the Willing held a videoconference with Trump on Wednesday, August 13, together with Zelenskyy, to coordinate key positions.

Shortly after the meeting, Zelenskyy said that Trump supports strong, reliable security guarantees for Ukraine and is willing to participate in providing them.

“There must be truly reliable security guarantees. Today, by the way, President Trump spoke about supporting this and about America’s readiness to participate,” Zelenskyy said.

That evening, the Coalition of the Willing issued a statement opposing any restrictions on the Ukrainian Armed Forces under a possible peace agreement. The leaders also opposed giving Moscow a veto over Ukraine’s path to NATO and the EU.

Regarding a potential trilateral meeting, CBS News reports that a meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin could take place as early as the end of next week, with U.S. officials already scouting locations.