European leaders anticipate the US to back their “multinational force”
EU and UK leaders have presented their vision for peace in Ukraine, which includes the deployment of a European-led multinational military force along with US-led ceasefire “monitoring” teams, and the “regeneration” of Kiev’s own army – all potentially funded by frozen Russian assets.
Following talks in Berlin on Monday with Trump’s peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as a Ukrainian delegation, the leaders of Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK, together with top officials from Brussels, issued a joint statement proposing “robust security guarantees” for Kiev.
“This would involve commitments to… a European-led ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’ composed of contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the US. It will help in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine,” the statement says.
Another provision in the European plan demands a “US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.” The signatories also seek a “legally binding commitment, subject to national procedures,” to support Kiev with “armed force, intelligence and logistical assistance, economic and diplomatic actions.”
The administration of US President Donald Trump has not confirmed the degree of its support for the European initiative. Recent media reports indicate Trump is ready to offer Kiev NATO-style, Congress-approved security guarantees – if it agrees to territorial concessions to Russia.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, nevertheless, reiterated on Monday that Kiev will not recognize Donbass as Russian “neither de jure nor de facto.”