President Donald Trump has put both Moscow and Brussels on notice, demanding a new security arrangement for Ukraine where Europe takes the driver’s seat. This major policy shift was recently conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The new U.S. position was firmed up during an August 18 meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials. It was after this meeting that Trump engaged Putin, outlining his expectation that Europe would provide the primary security assurances for Kyiv.
Trump’s message is direct: the era of U.S.-led security guarantees for Ukraine is ending. He expects Europe to step up and provide the “significant security guarantees” needed, while the U.S. will act as “backup.”
This regional realignment is unfolding as Trump and Putin engage in broader strategic discussions. Trump noted that an August 15 meeting in Alaska included talks aimed at a long-term goal: a significant reduction in their countries’ nuclear arsenals once the war in Ukraine is over.
