Stubb: Ukraine security guarantees progress but hinge on peace deal

He noted that discussions are taking place in close coordination with Washington, which will play a key role in the process. Talks are currently underway at the defense ministry level, where detailed plans are being drafted.

“We are making progress on this, and hopefully soon we will have a decision,” Stubb said.

At the same time, he admitted he is not optimistic about the near-term prospects for peace or even a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

The Finnish president also recalled that in August, he joined other European leaders in Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on potential paths toward peace.

Security guarantees for Ukraine — background

Zelenskyy has said that after the Aug. 18 talks in Washington with Trump and European leaders, work began on defining the specifics of future security guarantees for Ukraine.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump and European leaders agreed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head a special task force that will include national security advisers and NATO representatives to draft the framework.

Rubio assured European partners that the United States is prepared to take part in postwar security guarantees for Ukraine, while emphasizing that Europe should assume the lead role.