US Supports Europe's Commitment to Binding Security Guarantees for Ukraine

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The United States has for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraine’s allies in vowing to provide security guarantees that leaders said would include binding commitments to support the country if it is attacked by Russia again — a move that drew the praise of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The pledge came at a summit in Paris of the Coalition of the Willing of mainly European nations to firm up security guarantees to reassure Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, which invaded its neighbour in 2014 and again at full scale in 2022.

Unlike previous coalition meetings, the summit was also attended by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law — as well as America’s top general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, who a day earlier fleshed out details of security guarantees with European army chiefs.

Witkoff, who has led talks with Russia, said after the summit that Trump “strongly stands behind security protocols”.

“These security protocols are designed to prevent further attacks on Ukraine and provide a robust defense should any incidents occur. They represent some of the strongest measures ever implemented,” he stated.

Kushner said that, if the Ukrainians were to make a final deal, “they have to know that after a deal they are secure, they have, obviously, a robust deterrence, and there’s real backstops to make sure that this will not happen again”.

Coalition leaders also revealed that allies are set to join a proposed ceasefire monitoring and verification initiative led by the US. According to officials, this initiative is expected to utilize technology such as drones, sensors, and satellites, rather than deploying US troops on the ground.

He expressed gratitude towards the US for its willingness to support Ukraine in all aspects, including security assurances, ceasefire monitoring, and rebuilding efforts. He mentioned that the Ukrainian delegation would proceed with discussions on significant matters on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy, writing on Telegram after the meeting, said the agreements were “a signal of how seriously Europe and the entire coalition of the willing are ready to work for real security”.

But he added that it remained to be determined how the monitoring would work and how the Ukrainian army would be supported and financed.

Russia has yet to show any indication of accepting a peace agreement with the security assurances proposed by Ukraine’s allies. Historically, Russia has opposed the presence of NATO member troops within Ukraine’s borders.

The statement was not explicitly endorsed by the US and details of the US’ role were watered down from an earlier draft, notably removing language that outlined the use of US capabilities to support a multinational force in Ukraine.

But European officials hailed the involvement of the US envoys and their strong comments as evidence that the US stood behind the security framework.

The leaders’ statement indicated that these commitments could encompass the use of military resources, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic efforts, and the imposition of further sanctions. They emphasized the need to “finalize binding commitments” moving forward.

Coalition to ‘finalise binding commitments’

Until recently, much of the focus was on pledges of military aid for Ukraine’s forces and possible contributions to an international reassurance force.

But attention has now shifted to legally binding guarantees to come to Ukraine’s aid in the event of another attack by Russia.

The possibility of a military response is likely to trigger debate in many European countries, diplomats say.

“These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions,” the leaders’ statement said, adding they would now “finalise binding commitments”.

French President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference after the summit: “We all want … peace [in Ukraine] to be fair, lasting and clear-eyed … we want this peace to have its guarantees.”

European leaders present at the meeting — including Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — stressed that the statement showed renewed unity between Europe and the US on helping Ukraine.

The leaders’ statement also pledged a European-led “Multinational Force for Ukraine … to support the rebuilding of Ukraine’s armed forces and support deterrence” with “the proposed support of the US”.

Ukraine has long said it cannot be safe without guarantees that are comparable to the NATO alliance’s mutual defence agreement, to deter Russia from attacking again. Russia wants any peace deal to bar Ukraine from military alliances.