EU, US coordinate security documents for Ukraine -- NYT
US and EU officials signed security guarantee documents for Ukraine, focusing on troop reduction and support.
SUMMARY
US and EU officials agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine, including troop reductions and a European-led force in western Ukraine, with the US providing intelligence support and pledging Senate backing for European guarantees.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- US and EU signed two documents outlining security guarantees for Kiev.
- Plan includes reducing Ukrainian troops from 900,000 to 800,000 and establishing a European-led force in western Ukraine.
- US rules out sending troops but will use intelligence to monitor ceasefire.
- German Chancellor stated readiness to provide NATO-like security guarantees if ceasefire occurs.
- US pledged support for European security guarantees and Senate backing.
CORE SUBJECT
Security guarantees for Ukraine
NEW YORK, December 17. /TASS/. US and EU officials signed off on two documents outlining security guarantees for Kiev at a recent meeting in Berlin, The New York Times (NYT) reported, citing sources.
According to them, a priority is to reduce the size of Ukrainian troops from 900,000 to a "peacetime level" of 800,000, strengthening Ukraine's army with EU and US support. A European-led military force would be based in western Ukraine, away from the Russian border, according to the plan. While no specifics regarding which countries would deploy troops to Ukraine have been provided, the newspaper said, several nations have privately pledged to do so.
The United States has ruled out sending troops to Ukraine, the NYT continued. Instead, Washington would use its intelligence systems to monitor a potential ceasefire.
On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that European countries and the United States would be ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5 if there is a ceasefire. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing US officials, that Washington offered support for European security guarantees and pledged to seek Senate backing.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty's treaty signed in Washington in 1949 ensures the bloc's shared security, obligating all allies to respond to an armed attack against one member.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 7
The New York Times
🏛️ OrganizationUS newspaper reporting on security documents
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry involved in security guarantees
European Union
🏛️ OrganizationUnion involved in security guarantees
Berlin
📍 Location_CityCity where meeting took place
Friedrich Merz
👤 Person_MaleGerman Chancellor who commented on security guarantees
The Wall Street Journal
🏛️ OrganizationUS newspaper reporting on US officials' statements
NATO
🏛️ OrganizationNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization referenced for Article 5