Trump turns Ukraine security assurances into negotiation leverage – Politico
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The United States will not sign security guarantees for Ukraine until Kyiv and Moscow reach a peace agreement to end the war, Politico reports.
Read also: US puts its Ukraine security guarantees ahead of Europe’s - Politico
According to two European officials and a senior US official, the peace process is being slowed by Russia’s firm stance on territories that Ukraine is unwilling to concede.
A US official said President Donald Trump is using the agreement as leverage over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and wants all details finalized before signing.
“He wants to get a lot of things firmed up and solidified before actually signing,” the official said, referring to security guarantees.
“He doesn’t just want to sign it, and if that sort of impedes any further peace talks, what’s the point?” the official added.
Territory remains “the main sticking point,” as Russia insists on control over all of Donbas in eastern Ukraine, including areas it has not captured.
“Both sides are pretty dug in, but I think everyone feels that there’s a path forward,” the official said.
The next round of talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled for next week, likely in Miami or Abu Dhabi. However, diplomats noted that progress is complicated by the US simultaneously negotiating on Iran and the war in Ukraine.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said there are no signs of serious Russian intent to reach a peace settlement.
“Russia is still trying to get through these so-called peace talks, the results they can’t get on the battlefield,” she said.
What security guarantees for Ukraine include
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine should include EU membership and the creation of a long-term deterrence mechanism against Russia.
Western media earlier reported that Ukraine, together with the US and European partners, agreed on a contingency plan in case Moscow violates a potential peace deal.
The plan includes both diplomatic and military steps. In particular, in the event of a new large-scale Russian offensive, a coordinated allied response could be activated within 72 hours.
During a recent visit to Kyiv, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that after a peace deal is concluded, Ukraine would immediately see armed forces on the ground, aircraft in the air, and naval support from NATO countries that agree to assist.
He also assured that the United States, European countries, and Canada are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees.
