European leaders secure Ukraine security guarantee commitments

European leaders have emerged from high-stakes meetings in Washington with renewed commitments from the United States to help guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security, following intensive diplomatic negotiations aimed at preventing Ukrainian capitulation to Russian demands.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led a delegation of 18 mainly European leaders to the White House for talks with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just days after Trump’s controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to produce a peace agreement.

Speaking at the British Embassy in Washington, Sir Keir described the security guarantee commitments as a “significant breakthrough” that would fundamentally change how the West approaches Ukrainian defence. The agreements establish a framework for continued military and financial support that extends beyond any potential ceasefire arrangement.

President Trump assured Zelenskyy that the United States would provide “substantial assistance” for Ukrainian security, though specific details of American commitments were not immediately defined. The pledge represents a notable shift from earlier tensions between Trump and the Ukrainian leadership over the pace of peace negotiations with Russia.

Zelenskyy characterised the American commitment as “a major step forward,” noting that security guarantees would be “formalised on paper within the next week to 10 days.” Ukraine has indicated readiness to purchase approximately $90 billion in US military equipment as part of longer-term defence arrangements.

The European “coalition of the willing” announced by Sir Keir will intensify planning for post-conflict security arrangements, potentially including boots on the ground and air assets to maintain any future peace agreement. The UK has specifically prepared to back these commitments with military personnel and aircraft alongside European partners.

British officials emphasised that territorial settlements and security assurances cannot be treated as separate issues, arguing that Ukraine’s long-term security requires maintaining a strong military capability supported by substantial Western assistance rather than mere diplomatic promises.

The Washington agreements also include a new £1.6 billion deal allowing Ukraine to use UK Export Finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles manufactured in Belfast, creating additional jobs in Britain’s defence sector while strengthening Ukrainian capabilities.