Europe, US Discuss Ukraine Security Guarantees Amid Russian Opposition

Efforts to establish security guarantees for Ukraine remain complex and contested among key international players. US President Donald Trump has pushed for lasting peace and proposed security guarantees akin to NATO's Article 5 protection, though details remain unclear, prompting skepticism from European allies and Ukraine. European countries, including Sweden, express willingness to provide support such as aerial reconnaissance and naval resources but are reluctant to deploy ground troops, leaving defense responsibilities largely to Europe rather than the US. Russia insists on being included in any security guarantee discussions, viewing exclusion as counterproductive, and suggests China should also participate, a proposal met with distrust by Kyiv due to Beijing's support for Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly arranging a potential meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, a move that could either improve US-Russia relations or elevate Zelenskyy's international standing, while Moscow remains cautious about such a summit. Overall, the challenge of securing a mutually acceptable framework for Ukraine’s defense persists amid geopolitical tensions and differing priorities among the involved nations.