Rubio reiterates Trump's commitment to Ukraine, calls for European leadership

Rubio reiterates Trump's commitment to Ukraine, calls for European leadership

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed European colleagues on Thursday that the US will participate in post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. However, he emphasized that the Trump administration believes Europe should take the lead, according to a European diplomat familiar with the call.

Details about security guarantees

During a call with European security advisers, Rubio, who also serves as President Donald Trump's deputy security adviser, did not provide details about the specific security guarantees the U.S. might provide. Nevertheless, an administration official confirmed that the conversation took place. This gives new momentum to the issue at a critical time when Europe relies on the continued commitment of the Trump administration.

US involvement in Ukraine

The US has signaled it is willing to play a limited role in providing security guarantees to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached with Russia. Sources familiar with the talks with allies told CNN that the possibility is even emerging that US pilots could fly armed air support missions.

Trump has ruled out the deployment of US troops on site. Still, the United States and its allies are exploring a variety of other options. European nationals have told U.S. officials that they want the U.S. to continue providing military intelligence and surveillance.

Secret conversations and strategic planning

Participants in Thursday's call included security advisers from NATO, the European Union as well as France, Great Britain, Finland, Italy and Germany. Additionally, a meeting was held Wednesday between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and defense chiefs of key European nations.

Those military briefings followed a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several other key European allies at the White House. Trump stated during those talks that the United States would be involved in Ukraine's security, but made clear that Europe would be the "first line of defense."

Reactions to Trump's statements

An official familiar with the meetings noted that the declaration of U.S. commitment “changed everything” in terms of planning around security guarantees for Ukraine. Military planners from the “Coalition of the Willing” were already discussing security issues for Ukraine, but faced uncertainty about the US position.

The discussions also took place following several significant developments in the war between Ukraine and Russia Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week and then received Zelensky and other key partners at the White House.

Future of security guarantees

Zelensky stressed on Wednesday that Kiev expects clarity within the next two weeks on what kind of security guarantees allies are prepared to provide if a peace deal is reached. He noted that thirty countries have declared their willingness to provide security guarantees, but not all of these commitments include military support.

“We don’t know how many countries are willing to have ‘boots on the ground,’” Zelensky said. “Some could provide troops on the ground, while others could provide air defense.” He also spoke positively about U.S. involvement in security guarantees, which helped encourage countries that were previously hesitant to become more committed.

Reactions from Russia

At the same time, Russian officials have rejected as unacceptable any security guarantees that do not give Russia a say. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow “does not agree with collective security guarantees negotiated without Russia,” adding that China must also be part of the security agreement.

“I am convinced that in the West, especially in the United States, there is a prevailing understanding that discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia,” Lavrov said.