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In a landmark meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States would help guarantee Ukraine’s security as part of any peace deal ending the war with Russia. However, the specifics of what that aid would entail remain undefined.
Summit Dynamics and Key Players
The summit followed Trump’s high profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. European heads of state including leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Finland, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined Zelenskiy at the White House, underscoring Western unity in support of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy embraced the pledge as a “major step forward,” noting that the security guarantees would be formalized within 7 to 10 days. At the same time, Ukraine expressed a willingness to purchase approximately $90 billion in U.S. weaponry to bolster its defense.
Historical Backdrop: From Tension to Promises
Earlier this year, Zelenskiy and Trump clashed during a February Oval Office meeting that saw U.S. military aid abruptly paused. That meeting marked a low point in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Since then, Ukraine has pressed for firm, binding security arrangements drawing on the NATO Article 5 model, where an attack on one is an attack on all even though Ukraine is not a NATO member.
What Was Said—and Not Said
Trump declared that European nations would carry much of the burden, with “a lot of help” coming from the United States. NATO Secretary-General Rutte described the concept as “Article‑5‑like guarantees,” though he stressed Ukraine’s membership in NATO was not on the table.
Notably, Trump also shared that Putin had agreed to accept such security guarantees for Ukraine though Russia has publicly rejected any NATO troop deployments.
Path Forward: What Comes Next?
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Formalization: Within a week to ten days, the U.S. and European counterparts aim to put the guarantees into writing.
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Weapons Purchase: Ukraine’s proposal to procure $90 billion in U.S. weapons underscores its intent to cement long-term military support.
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Trilateral Talks: The leaders remain bullish on further engagement, with discussions underway about staging a trilateral summit with Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy.
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No Ceasefire Requirement: Trump reiterated that peace talks could proceed even without a formal ceasefire, diverging from previous stances.
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