European Union officials are expressing growing concerns following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Washington, where he sought assurances from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. During a brief video conference held on Wednesday morning, Macron updated EU leaders on his discussions with Trump, revealing a lack of concrete commitments from the U.S. regarding its support for Ukraine’s security.
Ambiguity in U.S. security commitments
According to an EU diplomat present at the meeting, Macron indicated that Trump did not provide any definitive promises, leaving what the diplomat referred to as “strategic ambiguity” regarding U.S. support. This situation is particularly troubling for European capitals, including Paris and London, as they explore the possibility of establishing a peacekeeping mission for Ukraine should an agreement be reached.
The need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine has become increasingly urgent as discussions continue between the U.S. and Russia, while Kyiv and European nations find themselves excluded from these critical negotiations. Notably, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are traveling to Washington with the shared goal of securing military pledges from the U.S. to bolster Ukraine’s defense against potential Russian aggression.
Continued uncertainty and European response
Despite a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Trump maintained a vague stance on the nature of any security guarantees, emphasizing, “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much. We’re going to have Europe do that, because … Europe is their next-door neighbor, but we’re going to make sure everything goes well.” This statement reflects the Trump administration’s position that U.S. troops will not participate in any European military efforts, yet there is still an expectation that the U.S. may provide necessary support through intelligence sharing, air defense systems, and military logistics.
“This was a waste of time,” said a senior EU official who took part in the meeting.
As the situation evolves, European leaders are striving to present a unified response. Starmer has previously stated the importance of a “U.S. backstop” post-peace deal to deter further Russian aggression. Meanwhile, German political leader Friedrich Merz traveled to Paris to discuss the outcomes of Macron’s meeting with Trump.
In the face of uncertainty regarding U.S. involvement in Ukraine, European leaders are working to develop a cohesive strategy. A meeting is scheduled in London on Sunday, where Starmer will engage with EU leaders to discuss collaborative defense and security plans. This will be followed by the European Council gathering on March 6, where EU leaders will further address these pressing issues.
During their regular meetings, EU ambassadors have been deliberating on what a sustainable peace may entail for the EU and what security guarantees could be feasible. Discussions have also touched on the potential appointment of an EU special representative to participate in peace talks on behalf of the bloc. However, there appears to be limited enthusiasm among ambassadors for this initiative.
To date, Trump has shown little inclination to allow European representatives to engage in the U.S.-Russia dialogues, adding to the complexities of the situation.