Zelenskyy seeks security guarantees from NATO and EU amid uncertainty over US support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held crucial talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, focusing on immediate support for Ukraine’s war effort and long-term security guarantees. The discussions come at a critical time, with Ukraine on the defensive on the battlefield and growing concerns over the future of US support for Kyiv, especially with President-elect Donald Trump advocating for a swift end to the war.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the talks, describing them as a "very good opportunity" to address Ukraine's security needs both now and in the future. "We are speaking about security guarantees for Ukraine for today and for tomorrow," he told reporters. While European leaders remain committed to addressing Ukraine’s immediate military needs, there is growing momentum behind discussions about how to secure Ukraine’s safety once the war concludes, including the possibility of deploying European troops.

Zelenskyy and Rutte held an “important and very substantive meeting,” according to the Ukrainian President, where they focused on enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities and ensuring the long-term reliability of the peace that NATO and its allies are working to establish. Zelenskyy added that NATO is committed to making Ukraine as strong as possible when the time comes for more active diplomacy.

The ongoing uncertainty about US support looms large, as President-elect Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and a swift resolution to the conflict. NATO leaders, however, are determined to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to stay strong in the face of Russian aggression. Rutte stated that the talks aimed to ensure Ukraine is in the best possible position when it enters peace negotiations, with plans to provide additional air defense systems and other military support.

Zelenskyy also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has championed the idea of deploying European troops to Ukraine. Following their meeting, Zelenskyy shared on X that they discussed the potential for a European presence in Ukraine to help stabilize the path to peace. The idea of European troops, however, remains a sensitive issue, with the UK’s foreign minister, David Lammy, stressing that equipping Ukraine for the coming months is the priority, given the current situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The talks, which were later joined by other European leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and top EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, highlight the urgency of securing Ukraine’s future in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and shifting political dynamics in the West.