Russia to reject US and EU offer of security guarantees to Ukraine – ISW report
The United States, in coordination with Europe, is working on security guarantees for post-war Ukraine. However, the Kremlin is likely to reject this proposal, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to the Financial Times, American officials told their European counterparts that Washington is ready to provide “strategic enablers.” These would include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, command and control, as well as air defense systems to support future European troop deployments in Ukraine as part of a security guarantee framework.
ISW analysts note that Russia has repeatedly dismissed Western security guarantees for Ukraine, especially those involving the presence of NATO forces.
The institute also cited a recent statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In an interview with NBC News, he said Western states, including the US, should not be responsible for Ukraine’s post-war security.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently declared that Moscow “categorically rejects” any scenario that involves the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine.
Based on these positions, ISW concludes: “The Kremlin would likely reject a US and European security guarantee proposal like the one US and European officials are reportedly discussing.”
Security guarantees for Ukraine
On the night of August 16, US President Donald Trump held a meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska. One of the key topics was the war in Ukraine, particularly its possible end. Following the summit, Putin mentioned at a press conference that Russia understands that security guarantees must be provided for Ukraine.
Just days later, on August 18, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House. Their talks also focused on ending the war and on the question of security guarantees.
Meanwhile, Russia stated in recent days that it should be one of the guarantors, and there have also been reports in the media about China. Ukraine opposes this idea.
On August 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several European officials.
Sybiha stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine must be specific, legally binding, and effective:
“They should be multidimensional, including military, diplomatic, legal, and other levels. We all share the conviction that the Ukrainian army is the fundamental level of any such guarantees, therefore, its maximum strengthening is our top priority,” the minister said.