U.S. ready to assist Europeans with aircraft and intel in Ukraine—report

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump told European leaders that Washington would join in the “coordination” of postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. Kyiv has insisted on such guarantees to deter further Russian aggression.

Senior U.S. officials told the journalists that the United States could contribute “strategic capabilities,” including command and control, satellite intelligence, and battlefield monitoring. They said the United States could also join the European-led “air shield” by supplying aircraft, radars, and logistics support.

The report marks a shift from the Trump administration’s earlier stance, which had ruled out participating in security guarantees for Ukraine. U.S. officials added, however, that the offer hinges on European countries agreeing to station their own troops in Ukraine as part of a so-called Coalition of the Willing. The Pentagon described the plan as a “preliminary decision” and declined further comment.

As it stands, Western governments are drafting a three-tier security arrangement, according to the report:  

• A demilitarized zone under peacekeepers’ supervision 
• A fortified line held by Ukrainian forces
• A deterrent force of European troops inside Ukraine, backed by non-kinetic U.S. support.