Security guarantees on Europe’s radar

Zelenskyy and Trump meet European leaders at the White House to push for security guarantees for Ukraine as Europe takes on a larger role.

Europe to bear heavier burden in deterring aggression against Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump met with European leaders at the White House for a multilateral discussion on Ukraine. Trump asserted that Vladimir Putin agreed Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine and noted that European nations may assume a larger share of the burden, while the United States would provide support to secure that effort. The group explored who would be responsible for different commitments, and a potential trilateral meeting with Putin was mentioned if talks proceed smoothly. Leaders also discussed the scope of Article Five-style guarantees and the importance of Ukraine maintaining a credible military posture for years to come. The discussions touched on possible exchanges of territory, a topic Zelenskyy has previously ruled out, and on the broader objective of establishing a lasting peace in the region.

This week’s gathering signals a shift from rhetoric to a more concrete discussion of European security responsibilities. The emphasis on credible guarantees raises questions about who bears risk and how commitments will be enforced if the conflict flares again. The talk of possible territory exchanges risks conflating diplomacy with concession, a line that could complicate Ukraine’s sovereignty and domestic politics in partner countries. Yet there is also a pragmatic thread: without robust guarantees and real political will, symbolic support risks fading when the next crisis hits. The event may become a reference point for how Western allies frame and share the burden of deterring aggression on Europe’s eastern flank.

Highlights

The next moves will reveal whether headlines translate into durable policy.