President Donald Trump has signaled a major policy expectation for European allies, stating they should take the lead in guaranteeing security for Ukraine. This came after he discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone.
The conversation with Putin was part of a broader diplomatic sequence. It occurred after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington on August 18, where the topic of security assurances was paramount.
Trump emphasized that while the specifics are yet to be finalized, the principle of European leadership is central to his approach. “They should, because they are right there,” he commented, while confirming the U.S. would serve as “backup.”
In addition, Trump divulged that his diplomatic track with Russia includes long-term strategic goals. He revealed that an August 15 meeting in Alaska included talks with Putin about a post-Ukraine crisis scenario where their countries could reduce nuclear weapons.