EU discusses security guarantees for Ukraine

2025-08-20 13:38:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The debate over security guarantees for Ukraine is gaining momentum. US President Trump said the US would help. Berlin's plans are also unclear.

A hot topic in the White House consultations was security guarantees for Ukraine during a possible peace process with Russia. After the meeting in Washington, EU heads of state and government held a virtual meeting to discuss options for protecting Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement.

EU Council President António Costa said after the talks that now is the time to step up efforts and deliver on the promised protection - similar to that provided for in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. According to the EU Council President, in the coming days, perhaps before the end of this week, the military leaders of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, led by the UK and France, will specify in consultation with the US the future security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump wants to help from the air

President Trump said after the summit that the US would support security guarantees for Ukraine, but did not provide details. Regarding the Ukrainians, he only assured: "We will give them very good protection, very good security." However, on Fox News, Trump later spoke only about air support. Trump stated that the US could provide air support for European peacekeepers in the event of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. He again rejected the idea of sending US troops to Ukraine.

Berlin ready in principle

Germany has made it clear that it will participate in possible security guarantees for Ukraine. However, the form of participation will only be decided "once an agreement on the broad framework has been reached." According to government sources, "the concrete decision on what Germany's contribution will be will be taken at a much later date."

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said they are working intensively for credible security guarantees and emphasized: "We are taking into account, firstly, the progress of the negotiations, secondly, a possible US contribution and thirdly, coordination with our closest partners."/ DW