Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for security guarantees from the US and Europe to ensure that any ceasefire agreement with Russia is respected and that Ukraine is protected from future aggression. During a tense meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance last week, Zelensky expressed concerns over the unpredictability of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the long-term security of Ukraine.
Trump, however, downplayed the importance of security guarantees, stating that “security is so easy, that’s about 2% of the problem,” and suggested that Europe should take the lead in addressing Ukraine’s defense. He also hinted that the presence of US companies operating in Ukraine’s resource-rich industries might act as a deterrent to Russia, implying that economic interests would be enough to prevent further Russian aggression.
But Zelensky’s demand for firm security assurances remains unanswered, and European leaders have been cautious about committing to long-term military guarantees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the need for a deterrent, but pointed out that the responsibility for providing security does not have to fall solely on the US. He emphasized that European countries should play a significant role in Ukraine’s defense.
Despite this, key US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, have been clear in stating that any deterrence mechanisms would need to be led by European forces, and that European troops operating in Ukraine would not be covered under NATO’s collective security principle.
For Ukraine, the need for security guarantees is urgent, but with conflicting opinions in Washington and a lack of commitment from European powers, Zelensky’s quest for assurances continues to face significant hurdles.
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