In what could be seen as the “art of a new deal” for European security, President Donald Trump is proposing a framework where Europe takes the lead in guaranteeing Ukraine’s safety. He discussed this new arrangement with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently.
This proposal was firmed up during an August 18 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials. Having aligned with allies, Trump then presented this new vision for regional security to the Kremlin.
The central term of this new deal is that “significant security guarantees” for Ukraine must be provided by its European neighbors. The role of the U.S., as Trump has articulated, will be to serve as “backup.”
This negotiation is part of a larger strategic conversation with Moscow. Trump has revealed that his talks with Putin also extend to the monumental, long-term goal of reducing their nuclear arsenals once the war in Ukraine is resolved.