In recent days, European leaders have issued a stern warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: do not give in to Russia's demands without ironclad security commitments from the United States. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, writes UNN.
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As the publication notes, this message reflects the growing caution of European leaders regarding Washington's rapid efforts to achieve a peace agreement, which have left them on the sidelines.
Specifically, according to two European diplomats familiar with the negotiations, European leaders advised their Ukrainian counterpart to clearly define America's role in security guarantees for Kyiv before agreeing to Russia's demands.
They noted that this message was conveyed during a phone call on Monday between Zelenskyy and European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European leaders insisted on the primary role of the US in the security guarantees offered to Ukraine in any agreement.
There is growing concern in Kyiv and other European capitals that Washington has not explained in detail what it will do if Russia violates a potential peace agreement and attacks Ukraine again.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The warnings made in recent days are another example of European leaders' attempts to intervene in peace talks that the US has been conducting by addressing the Kremlin and Kyiv directly, largely without European involvement.
Last month, Europe and Ukraine pushed for changes to improve conditions for Kyiv in a US-Hungarian peace plan that was developed with the participation of a Kremlin confidant.
This week, the European Union scaled back a plan to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, leaving cash in reserve that Europe could allow the US to use to encourage Moscow to reach a peace agreement.
According to diplomats, during Monday's conversation, Macron stated that Washington needs to send a clear message: the US must clearly explain how it will protect Ukraine before Kyiv agrees to the final terms of the agreement.
The Élysée Palace also did not respond to a request for comment.
Merz warned Zelenskyy to be very careful in the coming days, cautioning that the Americans are playing games with Ukraine and the Europeans, said one of the diplomats who was present at the conversation.
During recent conversations with American officials, European diplomats emphasized that they can only offer Ukraine clear security commitments after they know what role the US will play in supporting these plans.
This issue has plagued Western efforts to coordinate positions on peace talks throughout the year, particularly during a standoff in the Oval Office in February, when Zelenskyy's insistence on American security guarantees angered President Trump.
Ukraine has repeatedly argued that instead of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the US and Europe should ensure its protection as a deterrent against a future Russian attack.
In August, the White House ruled out providing ground troops but pledged communications and other support to help Ukraine and its European allies.
A draft peace proposal developed by the US last month committed several European countries and the US to a "decisive coordinated military response" in response to an attack.
Last week, Macron announced the creation of a new task force, including the US, to finalize the security guarantees that will be offered to Ukraine. According to two European diplomats, senior officials from France and the UK visited the US this week for talks on this matter.
Britain, France, and other European countries have stated that in the event of a peace agreement, they will send thousands of troops to Ukraine. However, these so-called assurance forces depend on a clear security guarantee from the US. Russia opposes the presence of any NATO member state troops in Ukraine.
European officials say that Pentagon representatives have developed plans for Washington's potential security commitments, but a political decision on what commitments the US will undertake has not yet been made.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.