Former U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders on Monday. During the meeting, he assured Zelensky of security guarantees, stating that the United States, not NATO, would provide security to Ukraine. This statement by Trump has drawn criticism from Russia. Russia’s state-owned channel RT questioned Trump’s remarks, asking why he asserted that the U.S. would continue to provide security.
What does Trump’s statement imply? During the meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, Trump indicated that the U.S. and its European allies would offer security guarantees to Ukraine instead of NATO membership. This declaration came three days after Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska, where he mentioned a new plan for Ukraine.
Trump proposed providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, without formally admitting the country into NATO. This means that if Ukraine is attacked, the U.S. and its allies would come to its aid, but NATO’s full regulations wouldn’t apply. Trump also added that the U.S. would sell weapons to NATO, which could then supply them to Ukraine.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s security depends on the U.S. and the leaders present. He expressed a desire to end the war, and welcomed the U.S.’s readiness to provide security guarantees. Sensitive issues would be discussed in the trilateral meeting, which President Trump would strive to organize. Ukraine is prepared to stop the war and wants its people to return.