Zelensky Secures Security Guarantees from the US and Europe: "Ready to Meet Putin Without Preconditions"

Putin–Zelensky Meeting Imminent… Only 'Territorial Negotiations' Remain

"Result of War Expected in 1–2 Weeks"

Trump: "A trilateral meeting including the US will be held after the Russia–Ukraine Talks"

"Europe is Ukraine's Primary Line of Defense"

No comment on US troop deployment

US President Donald Trump said on the 18th (local time) that "Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted security guarantees for Ukraine." This was at a meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders. He also stated that "the security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided by European countries through cooperation with the United States." Now that President Zelenskyy has secured security commitments from the US and Europe, the focus shifts to 'territorial negotiations' between Ukraine and Russia.

◇ "Security Guarantee to be Documented Within Ten Days"

President Trump stated through the White House meeting and later via SNS regarding Ukraine security guarantees, "They (Europe) are the primary line of defense," but also, "We will help them. We will be involved." He reaffirmed the commitment to the security guarantees requested by Ukraine and Europe. The meeting began as a one-on-one between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy and then expanded to include European leaders. The expanded meeting saw the participation of seven European leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Finland, the European Union (EU), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

However, specifics on how the security guarantees for Ukraine will be implemented are not yet known. Europe is hoping for a NATO-style collective defense system that would automatically intervene if Ukraine is attacked. They are also considering the possibility of stationing European troops. President Trump provided no clear answers despite being asked several times about the deployment of US troops, giving the impression that US troop deployment is not under consideration.

President Trump reportedly called President Putin during the multilateral meeting with European leaders. He is now coordinating a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy and has declared he will participate in a subsequent trilateral meeting.

After the White House meeting, President Zelenskyy stated in a press conference at Lafayette Square: "We received an important signal that the US will participate as part of the security guarantee and help coordinate this effort," adding, "The details of the security guarantee will be prepared and formalized in a document within ten days." The Financial Times (FT) reported that Ukraine has agreed to purchase $100 billion (approximately ₩140 trillion) worth of US-made weapons in exchange for US security guarantees after a peace accord with Russia.

President Zelenskyy did not state a direct position on the issue of territorial concessions. He maintained a cautious stance, noting, "The territorial issue is a matter to be decided by Russia and Ukraine together." President Trump also avoided direct pressure, stating, "It is up to Ukraine to decide."

◇ Russia’s Lukewarm Response

The key issue is whether Russia will act as President Trump hopes. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Putin has not once met President Zelenskyy in person.

While President Trump claimed the two would meet soon, the atmosphere in Russia appears different. Yuri Ushakov, diplomatic policy advisor at the Kremlin (the presidential office) in Russia, stated only that "discussions have taken place regarding raising the level of delegates participating in the Russia–Ukraine negotiations." He avoided using terms indicating a summit meeting.

President Trump believes Russia has agreed to a plan for security guarantees for Ukraine, but nothing has actually been disclosed. So far, President Putin has consistently maintained that he will never accept Ukraine joining NATO.

There are concerns that even if a 'big deal' ends the war temporarily, this may not be the end. In this negotiation, if the Donbas region comes under Russian control, it could serve as a stepping stone for a renewed invasion. It cannot be ruled out that President Trump may have been drawn into President Putin's strategy.

Just before the multi-nation conference that included European leaders at the White House, President Trump, unaware that a microphone was on, said, "It seems (Putin) wants to negotiate for me," adding, "You understand, right? Sounds absurd, doesn't it?" This revealed that he believed negotiations were possible because of his good relationship with Putin.

Washington, D.C. = Sang-Eun Lee, correspondent selee@hankyung.com