This question is considered one of the most delicate. For Putin, the attitude of Ukraine and its European allies means: Fast peace due to forced area abduction seems illusory. As long as the Ukrainians are not giving in here, negotiations should still remain very unrealistic.
One of the most surprising results of the summit in Washington is the promise of security guarantees. Donald Trump promised Ukraine “very good protection”, but left details. Chancellor Merz expressly welcomed this announcement, emphasized the responsibility of Europe, but also remained guilty.
“It is completely clear that all of Europe should participate. Germany has a high level of responsibility to do this,” he said before reporters when asked whether he would station German troops in Ukraine. It was still too early today to say whether the Bundestag may have to grasp “resolutions subject to mandate”, ie military operations.
However, Trump left no doubt about who he sees in this question firstly. “You (the Europeans) are the first line of defense, but we will also help you,” said the US President. An interim report from the American “Wall Street Journal”, according to which Trump is ready to station US troops in Ukraine, has not yet been officially confirmed.
This would indeed be a step that was previously considered unthinkable. Ukraine is not part of the NATO defense alliance. American troops on Ukrainian soil could be involved in fighting after a possible peace conclusion in the event of a recurring conflict and thus drawn into war with Russia. A risky situation that the United States has absolutely wanted to avoid.
There is a lot to suggest that European troops would have to secure Ukraine and are at best supported by the United States logistically, with military equipment and by secret service information. Overall, this point remains extremely delicate. Because it is associated with high own security risks for the allies. Ukraine, on the other hand, could not trust mere oral and mere peace treatments from Moscow.
How things are going on remains open. Donald Trump briefly interrupted the meeting to make calls to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. It should have been agreed that Moscow and Kiev would like to agree on a Putin and Selenskyj meeting next. The Kremlin is supposedly ready for this. This was also confirmed from German negotiating circles.
From Moscow, however, contradictory signals came, which indicate that a summit at this level between the two presidents is not up for debate. If there is still such a meeting, a three -way meeting between Trump, Putin and Selenskyj should then take place. Following the following, the Europeans should be brought back on board.
On Tuesday there will be a video conference of the so -called coalition of the willing, i.e. more than 30 countries in the world that are ready to continue to help Ukraine. In addition, there should be a special meeting of the European Council on the same day, in which the other European governments are to be informed about the results from Washington.
