With Washington engaging in talks with Ukraine and Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump remains hopeful about nearing a peace agreement. However, key disagreements persist between Kyiv and Moscow.
Critical issues such as control over disputed regions in Eastern Ukraine and the provision of security guarantees have not seen a resolution.
For Kyiv, ensuring robust security measures is paramount. Ukraine seeks concrete security assurances, not just verbal commitments from its allies.
Ukraine’s Security Demands
Following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1994, Ukraine relinquished Moscow’s nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., U.K., France, China, and Russia under the Budapest Memorandum. However, this non-binding agreement is viewed as a failure by Ukrainians due to Russia’s actions in Crimea and the Donbas region.
While seeking NATO membership, which aligns with its constitution, Ukraine aims for U.S.-supported security assurances, given the lack of consensus within the military alliance.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during negotiations for peace in Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Aug. 15. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Current Discussions
A proposal to offer Ukraine security guarantees modeled after NATO’s Article 5, where an attack on one member triggers collective defense, was raised by Italy and discussed by Trump and Putin. The leaked peace plan endorsed by Moscow and Washington mentioned providing Ukraine with “reliable” security assurances involving the U.S.
Details from a European counterproposal suggest a U.S. security guarantee resembling Article 5 could be part of the agreement.
Fabrice Pothier, CEO of Rasmussen Global and former NATO policy planning director, discusses Russia’s influence on Ukraine’s security guarantees.</span
