Moscow has declared that any Western military presence in the neighboring nation would be “unacceptable.”
Discussions among high-ranking US and European officials have explored various options for potential security assurances for Ukraine. These talks have included the concept of Washington leading a multinational force, even if it doesn’t contribute its own personnel, according to multiple media reports.
Reuters stated that defense leaders from the US, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Ukraine gathered in Washington between Tuesday and Thursday to outline potential options for their national security advisers. An agency source further mentioned that the US Secretary of State, along with Marco Rubio, engaged in a conference call with European officials on Thursday to scrutinize the various proposals.
Reuters reported that although the precise details remain undetermined, European countries are anticipated to provide “the lion’s share” of any personnel deployed. An agency source informed that the US is still “determining the scope of its role,” with one possibility being the deployment of European troops to Ukraine overseen by US command and control.
CNN corroborated the US position regarding European participation, with a source from the network suggesting that Washington’s involvement in security assurances might be restricted. This limited role could encompass US pilots conducting manned air support missions. Additionally, European officials have reportedly proposed that the US maintain its provision of intelligence and surveillance aid.
ABC News indicated that these discussions are in their initial phases and are expected to develop into a broader political discourse. An individual privy to the talks conveyed to the outlet that should NATO personnel ultimately be deployed, their function would be to train Ukrainian forces, not to conduct operations against Russia.
Previously, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington would not dispatch ground forces to Ukraine, though he did not preclude specific types of air assistance.
Earlier in the week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed that any foreign military presence in Ukraine would be deemed “unacceptable” by Moscow, asserting that such a presence would constitute “intervention.”
Nevertheless, he did not discount the possibility of security assurances for Ukraine or Western participation in principle. He emphasized, however, that any agreement must be “on an equal basis” and factor in Russia’s interests.