Peace talks stall over security guarantees

European and U.S. leaders press for security guarantees and a path to ceasefire amid stalled talks on Ukraine's fate.

Peace talks stall as Ukraine seeks security guarantees

President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a group of European leaders in the Oval Office on Monday, Aug 18, 2025, in a display of unity as they push for steps toward ending Russia's war on Ukraine. The gathering highlighted support for Ukraine's security and a path to a ceasefire, but officials cautioned that no concrete framework had emerged. Trump signaled openness to a comprehensive peace plan, while Zelenskyy pressed for guarantees that Kyiv can rely on Western backing to deter future attacks. NATO and a coalition of about 30 countries discussed a backstop force to support any peace agreement, but the United States' precise role remained unsettled. Later, Trump suggested that while many would prefer an immediate ceasefire, the focus should be on a broader peace deal.

Key sticking points include how to deter future Russian aggression and whether Ukraine can secure credible guarantees without ceding territory. Zelenskyy has rejected any idea of breaking up Ukraine, while Moscow has claimed its own territorial interests around Donbas, Crimea and other areas occupied by Russian forces. Rutte noted that Ukraine's potential land concessions were not part of the talks, although officials say the question looms for Kyiv and Moscow. The prospects for a breakthrough are complicated by Trump’s evolving position on troop deployments and the demands of European partners who want fast action without rushing a flawed bargain. European officials warn that Moscow’s ambitions could extend beyond Ukraine, complicating any peace plan.

The meeting reads like a calculated effort to set narrative parameters rather than lock in policy steps. It signals a Western coalition ready to back Ukraine in principle, but it also exposes the brittleness of cross‑border guarantees in a politicized environment. The main risk is a mismatch between rhetoric and capability, where promises outpace the practical means to enforce them. If the goodwill does not translate into credible defense commitments, Moscow could press ahead with its current strategy while Western support drifts.

Durable peace would require more than ceremonial backing; it needs enforceable guarantees and a mechanism to sustain them even amid domestic political shifts. That means clarifying who bears risk, how enforcement works, and what happens if one side breaches the terms. The outcome will depend on whether European and American allies can align their timelines with Kyiv’s needs, not just flash the strongest headlines. In short, diplomacy must be matched with deliverables if it hopes to outpace a dogged, incremental war.

Highlights

Future moves will reveal if this diplomacy translates into lasting safety for Ukraine.