United States, Europe agree on security guarantees plan for Ukraine—report

According to unnamed officials cited by Bloomberg, the plan designates Ukraine’s 800,000-strong armed forces as the first line of deterrence in a postwar period. Allies would continue supplying weapons and support programs to keep Ukrainian forces properly equipped and trained.

“The U.S. would provide intelligence and monitoring to track any attempts to breach the peace agreement along contact lines and borders, including through potential Russian false-flag operations,” the report said.

European coalition troops would be stationed back from the front lines to build trust, officials said. In the event of resumed hostilities, Ukraine’s military would hold the first line of defense while allies pursue swift diplomatic and de-escalation measures to prevent a wider conflict. If those efforts fail, the plan calls for “military support backed by U.S. capabilities.”

Bloomberg said the multi-layered approach, coupled with U.S. commitments, has bolstered optimism in Ukraine and Europe that the plan could serve as a credible deterrent to future Russian aggression.

Negotiations on the guarantees took place Dec. 14–15 in Berlin, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner among the participants.