USA signals readiness to join European coalition for defense of Ukraine

The sources of the agency informed that the USA is ready to provide intelligence means and control over the situation on the battlefield to any Western defense force in post-war Ukraine. They will also participate in the development of a European air defense shield for the country.

This step testifies to a noticeable change in the position of the White House. Earlier, the President of the USA, Donald Trump, declared that his country would not take part in a similar coalition.

Coalition for the defense of Ukraine

The coalition of the willing to defend Ukraine after the war was formed in response to Washington's refusal to participate in these initiatives. Almost half a year later, the USA began to change its position.

Ukraine demands security guarantees as part of the peace agreement to protect itself from future aggression by Russia. American military and national security representatives informed European allies that the USA may provide intelligence, command structures, and critical systems necessary to support the security of the Ukrainian sky.

Role of Europe and participation of USA

In March, France and Great Britain announced the creation of a coalition, declaring their readiness to consider options for deploying tens of thousands of military personnel for missions on land, in the air, and at sea, as well as for monitoring the ceasefire regime.

The idea consisted in allowing the Ukrainian army to recover and to turn into a "steel porcupine" which Russia would no longer dare to attack.

Publicly, this appeared to be a demonstration of support for Kyiv. However, behind closed doors, European officials admitted that without the USA, realize such plans is impossible.

Trump changes course

Since then, Trump showed signs of irritation in negotiations with Vladimir Putin and established closer contact with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to sources, the American president realized that his goal – the achievement of peace, as well as his aspiration to obtain the Nobel Peace Prize – requires participation of the USA in ensuring stability.

An additional factor was the promise of Europe to increase defense expenditures to 5% of GDP, which strengthened trust to the allies in the White House.

Prospects and uncertainties

According to the sources, preliminary outlines of security guarantees are expected to appear "soon." However, much remains unclear – which countries will send troops, in what number, and whether Putin will agree to their presence.

The peace agreement remains unreachable for now, but European officials cautiously express optimism that the key barrier – the USA's refusal to participate – has been overcome.

"President Trump and his national security team continue to engage with Russian and Ukrainian officials towards a bilateral meeting to stop the killing and end the war," stated the representative of the White House.

According to him, it does not correspond to national interests – to discuss these questions further publicly.

Previously, on August 18, a meeting took place at the White House between President Donald Trump of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and European leaders, during which security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed.

Trump confirmed the participation of the USA in these guarantees; however declared that the main burden must lie on the European partners.