US ready to consider security guarantees for Ukraine - but outside the NATO framework

This, according to Politico, is what President Donald Trump told European and Ukrainian leaders during a German-organised video meeting on Wednesday - ahead of his Friday summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

At issue is the possibility of an American role in deterring future Russian aggression if a ceasefire is reached. At the same time, Trump emphasised that such commitments should not be formalised in the NATO format.

Sources note that the president did not specify what exactly is meant by "security guarantees" - rather a general concept was discussed. According to European participants, Trump recognises that an American component could be part of the final settlement and sees a US role in such an agreement. This explains the cautious optimism in European capitals after the talk and ahead of Trump's meeting with Putin, although concerns remain about the content of their possible one-on-one conversation.

The White House did not promptly comment on Washington's readiness for such a role. That said, Trump has made it clear: the US will not continue direct arms sales or send troops to Ukraine. Instead, he is allowing the sale of US arms to European allies, who would be able to transfer them to Kiev. This format is estimated to be limited and is unlikely to satisfy supporters of tougher and longer-term guarantees from Washington.

Against this backdrop, Europe continues to work out its own options for securing future peace, from a coalition of the willing to other mechanisms to support agreements on the ground. However, European capitals are counting on U.S. political cover to reinforce any agreements. In private conversations, diplomats say Trump has generally taken their arguments into account and is focused on achieving a ceasefire, but they remain wary of the possible outcome of his face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader.

Overall, Trump's approach falls along his longstanding line: scepticism of "lethal" aid directly and a reliance on deals with allies. The administration believes that allowing Europeans to buy American weapons for eventual transfer to Ukraine has increased pressure on Moscow to negotiate. Whatever the future "guarantees" may be, their content, according to the interlocutors, will remain the subject of a separate discussion already after a possible ceasefire.