Security Guarantees Project for Ukraine: US and EU Agree on Key Decisions

The United States, together with its European partners, have completed the approval of a draft security guarantees for Ukraine, which provides for a large-scale strengthening of the Armed Forces, the deployment of a European military contingent, and the key role of American intelligence in deterring new Russian aggression.

This was reported by The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the developments.

According to the publication, the relevant agreements were reached during two days of consultations in Berlin with the participation of representatives of the United States, European countries and Ukraine. As a result, the parties agreed on two documents that should become the foundation of a potential agreement to cease hostilities in the war, which has been going on for almost four years.

At the same time, Moscow is not involved in the negotiation process and is not currently signaling a willingness to compromise. As NYT sources note, the proposed package of guarantees should also stimulate Kyiv to make difficult political decisions, in particular on territorial issues and the rejection of the prospect of full membership in NATO.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the coordinated position of Ukraine, the US, and Europe has made it possible to achieve “real and tangible progress,” but a full ceasefire, she said, remains unlikely at this time.

According to The New York Times, the first of the agreed documents defines the basic principles of security guarantees, which in their logic are close to collective defense mechanisms similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The second document is of an applied military nature and regulates in detail the interaction between the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the United States and European allies in the event of a new Russian attack. The publication’s sources call it “extremely specific” because it provides for quick and coordinated actions by partners to deter Moscow.

Although the texts of the documents have not been made public, each of the participating countries is already clearly aware of its role — from exchanging intelligence to deploying military units on the territory of Ukraine.

A key element of the plan is the formation of a Ukrainian army of about 800,000 soldiers in peacetime with a modern training and weapons system. In the event of an escalation of the war, the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine could increase to almost 900,000 people.

Separately, the document envisages the deployment of European troops on the territory of Ukraine, mainly in the western regions, outside the ceasefire line. Their task will be to control air and sea space and perform a deterrent function. These forces are coordinated by France and the United Kingdom within the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”.

According to the publication, US President Donald Trump confirmed that American troops will not be sent directly to Ukraine. Instead, the United States will play a critical intelligence role – from monitoring compliance with the ceasefire to detecting preparations for new attacks, verifying the implementation of agreements and preventing “false flag” provocations.

It is expected that the final versions of the security documents will be prepared in the near future. After that, the American side should transfer them to Russia and continue consultations with Ukraine, the publication notes.

We will remind, on December 16, during the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense Issues of Ukraine in the “Ramstein” format , the countries made new commitments to support.

As reported, British Defense Minister John Healy said that his country is ready to send its military personnel to Ukraine, but only after peace is achieved.

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