Key European leaders have expressed optimism about the NATO-style security guarantee proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On this day, President Trump met with the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, and Italy, as well as the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO. These leaders voiced their expectations for the NATO-style security guarantee, which President Trump had previously indicated his willingness to participate in.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in his opening remarks ahead of a multilateral meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders, stated, "The fact that you (President Trump) have expressed your intention to participate in security guarantees is a major step forward." He added, "This is a real breakthrough and will truly make a significant difference."
He was referring to President Trump’s earlier comments following a bilateral meeting with President Zelensky, in which Trump said that while Europe would play a leading role in postwar security guarantees, the United States would also provide protection and security. Politico Europe reported that President Trump did not rule out the possibility of U.S. troops being stationed in Ukraine.
Europe appears intent on securing a commitment from President Trump to a 'NATO-style model.' European leaders once again emphasized the importance of security guarantees to prevent a renewed Russian attack.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "We will discuss many important topics, but first and foremost is ensuring security guarantees so that (war) never happens again." She continued, "We are pleased to begin with the proposal for a (NATO) Article 5 model."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also commented on President Trump’s suggestion of a NATO-style collective defense Article 5 guarantee, stating that it "aligns with what we have tried to achieve within the 'Coalition of Will.'" He added, "By having the United States join what we have already advanced within the Coalition of Will, I believe we can achieve truly significant progress today," expressing hope that "tangible historic progress can be made for Ukraine and European security."
French President Emmanuel Macron likewise mentioned the 'Coalition of Will' and the 'pledge' backed by NATO in relation to postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. He said, "The first element of security guarantees is a reliable Ukrainian military for the coming years and decades; the second is our pledge." He continued, "Over the past several months, we have devoted great effort within the Coalition of Will, with NATO’s support, to building the foundation for other security guarantees and pledges."
President Macron also called for a four-way summit including Europe, following the U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral summit, stating, "To speak of security guarantees is to refer to the security of the entire European continent."
European leaders also reaffirmed the necessity of a ceasefire. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in his opening remarks, "The credibility of the efforts we are pursuing today depends at least on achieving a ceasefire as a starting point for serious negotiations," adding, "We all want to see a ceasefire."
President Macron also stated, "As we have discussed, at the very least, halting the killing is essential," and added, "We all support this." Prime Minister Starmer agreed, stating that guaranteeing Ukraine’s security means guaranteeing the security of all of Europe.
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