European Forces Under U.S. Command?

Ukraine’s Security Guarantees on the Allies’ Agenda

The United States and several European countries are still grappling with the “dilemma” of what form of security guarantees could be offered to Ukraine.

According to Reuters, officials stated that on Thursday, American and European military leaders presented a range of options to their national security advisers to provide Ukraine with credible guarantees.

This comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to help protect Ukraine under any agreement aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia, which began in February 2022.

A statement from the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. and European military planners had drawn up military options to be submitted to allied national security advisers “for appropriate consideration.” Reuters was the first to report on the preparation of such proposals.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, military chiefs from the United States, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine held a series of meetings in Washington.

A source familiar with the matter revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as President Trump’s National Security Adviser, held a conference call with his European counterparts on Thursday to discuss the available options.

The source emphasized that final details have yet to be worked out, but European nations are expected to shoulder “the bulk” of any forces committed to Ukraine’s security guarantees.

This was echoed on Wednesday by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who stressed that Europe must bear “the lion’s share” of the operation’s costs.

“Planning efforts are ongoing,” the source added, noting that Washington is still “defining the scope of its role.”

President Trump reiterated that no American troops would be deployed on Ukrainian soil but left the door open to other forms of military involvement, including air support.

According to Reuters sources, one option under consideration would see European forces deployed in Ukraine, while the United States would retain responsibility for command and control.

American air support could take several forms, such as providing Ukraine with additional air defense systems or enforcing a no-fly zone with U.S. fighter jets.