US, Europe Discuss Security Guarantees for Ukraine... Russia Opposes "Western Troop Deployment"

US, Europe, and Ukraine Launch Trilateral Talks on Security Guarantees
Rubio Leads Committee to Devise Dual Safety Mechanisms
Russia Firmly Rejects Any Scenario Involving Western Troop Deployment

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

The United States, Europe, and Ukraine have reportedly begun trilateral consultations on security guarantees for Ukraine, which is one of the core issues in ending the war in Ukraine. However, it is expected that peace negotiations will face difficulties, as Russia has rejected the scenario of Western troops being stationed in Ukraine, which is included in Ukraine's demand for "dual security guarantees."

US-Led Trilateral Committee Formed by Rubio

According to US political media outlet Axios on August 19 (local time), a trilateral committee of the US, Europe, and Ukraine has been formed to devise security guarantees for Ukraine. The committee is reportedly led by US Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio.

An official from the Ukrainian government told Axios, "For several days, everyone participating in the committee will be discussing security guarantees from morning until night," adding, "By the end of this week, we will likely have some clear structure for these security guarantees."

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced at a briefing that President Donald Trump has instructed his national security team to cooperate with Europe to ensure Ukraine's security.

Military leaders from the US and Europe are also coordinating efforts. US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane (Air Force General) is scheduled to meet with European military officials in Washington, DC, this evening to discuss the Ukraine issue, according to AFP, citing a US Department of Defense official. On August 20, he is also expected to attend a virtual meeting on Ukraine with military leaders from all 32 NATO member countries.

Russia "Firmly Rejects" Western Troop Deployment

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Ukrainian security guarantee plan is expected to consist of two main components: a collective defense commitment and the physical stationing of troops. In addition to a security guarantee similar to the collective defense commitment announced by President Trump, Ukraine is demanding a "dual safety mechanism" that would involve the deployment of Western forces in Ukraine to jointly deter Russian expansion into the West.

Previously, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, giving up its nuclear weapons in exchange for guarantees of its territorial sovereignty. However, the memorandum was rendered ineffective when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The collective defense commitment is a point to which Russia has agreed, as President Trump revealed after the US-Russia summit in Alaska on August 15. Currently, the US and Europe are excluding Ukraine's accession to NATO but are seeking an alternative agreement on security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty. This would be a promise that the US would join in defending Ukraine if it is attacked.

The main issue is the possible stationing of Western troops in Ukraine. Regarding this, President Trump stated in a Fox News interview, "They (Europe) want to send troops on the ground (to Ukraine). We want to help them," and mentioned that the US could consider providing air support as an option.

Following these reports, Russia responded immediately. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated on August 18, "We reaffirm our position that we categorically reject any scenario involving the deployment of troops from NATO member states in Ukraine."

Some media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), pointed out that the Ukrainian security guarantee plan could resemble the Korean situation following the armistice of the Korean War, as it would freeze the front lines and allow the deployment of foreign troops in the invaded country under a security guarantee agreement.

WSJ noted, "For Putin, a 'Korean-style armistice' is a historical failure," adding, "He may end up holding 20% of Ukrainian territory, but much of it will be reduced to rubble, and he will lose most of Ukraine forever." The report also stated that Russia could be forced to watch Western troops stationed in Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.