U.S., European Advisers Review Military Options for Ukraine Security Guarantees

U.S., European defense chiefs have finalized a set of military options for providing long-term security guarantees to Ukraine, officials said.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Reuters.

The proposals were presented this week to national security advisers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Ukraine. According to a Pentagon statement, the options are now under “appropriate consideration” by allied governments.

Sources familiar with the talks said the framework envisions European nations supplying most of the troops for a potential peace force in Ukraine. One option under review is deploying European contingents on the ground while placing them under U.S. command and control.

Washington, meanwhile, is weighing the extent of its own role. President Donald Trump has reiterated he will not send American ground troops to Ukraine but has kept the door open to other forms of support, including U.S. air power.

Possible measures range from delivering additional air defense systems to enforcing a no-fly zone with American fighter jets.

Vice President J.D. Vance underscored on Wednesday that Europe would need to assume “the lion’s share” of both costs and troop commitments. That stance was echoed in the military discussions, according to officials.

U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio chaired a conference call with counterparts from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Finland and the European Commission on Thursday to review the draft plans. 

Participants included UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, the chief of staff to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Geoffrey van Leeuwen, and senior aides to European leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both publicly endorsed the idea of European troop deployments as part of a “coalition of the willing.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also indicated Berlin’s openness to participating. But military experts warn that sustaining such a force would require tens of thousands of European troops over the long term.

Trump has pressed allies to accelerate efforts to secure a deal that would end what he calls “Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years.” Kyiv and its supporters, however, remain concerned that Washington could push for a settlement skewed toward Russia’s terms.

“The planning work continues,” said the source briefed on the talks. “The final scope of Washington’s role is still being determined.”

Read more on The Gaze: Ukraine’s Security Guarantees: Latest Proposals in Focus