The United States on Tuesday, for the first time, formally supported security guarantees for Ukraine, joining a broad coalition of Kyiv’s allies pledging to provide binding commitments to defend the country in the event of renewed Russian aggression.
The pledge was made at a summit in Paris convened by the so-called “coalition of the willing,” composed primarily of European states seeking to strengthen Ukraine’s security framework, particularly in the context of a potential ceasefire with Russia, according to Reuters.
Strong U.S. Endorsement
Following the summit, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that President Donald Trump “strongly stands behind the security protocols.”
“The purpose of these security protocols is to deter any attack, any further attack on Ukraine, and, if such an attack occurs, to defend it. These guarantees are as strong as any that have ever been seen,” Witkoff stated.
This marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, as Washington had previously avoided explicit endorsement of binding security guarantees outside NATO membership.
Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism
In a joint statement, coalition leaders also confirmed that allied countries will participate in a U.S.-proposed mechanism to monitor and verify any future ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
The mechanism is intended to ensure compliance, transparency, and rapid response in the event of violations, providing Kyiv with additional reassurance amid ongoing negotiations.
Peace Talks Accelerate, but Moscow Resists Concessions
Efforts to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have intensified since November last year. However, Moscow has so far shown no clear willingness to make concessions.
Negotiations stalled after Kyiv pushed for changes to an initial U.S. proposal, which had originally reflected several key Russian demands, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts among Western allies.
Despite the lack of progress with Moscow, the latest summit underscores a growing consensus among Ukraine’s partners that long-term security guarantees are essential to any sustainable ceasefire or peace agreement.
