As Western nations advocating for an end to Russia’s assault on Ukraine create potential future security assurances for Kyiv that could aid in negotiating a peace deal, NATO defense chiefs were scheduled to convene virtually on Wednesday, according to a senior alliance official.
As part of a U.S.-led diplomatic effort to put a halt to the fighting, 32 defense chiefs from around the alliance will hold a video conference, according to Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee.
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According to Dragone on social media site X, the discussions would include participation from U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe.
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, criticized attempts to develop security arrangements in Ukraine without Moscow’s intervention.
The idea of resolving collective security challenges outside of the Russian Federation is something we cannot support. According to state news agency RIA Novosti, Lavrov stated on Wednesday that this would not work.
During a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi in Moscow, Lavrov added that Russia would forcefully and sternly protect (its) legitimate interests.
Defense chiefs are working on the Ukraine security force’s specifics.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy other notable European leaders at the White House on Monday after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday. Neither meeting produced tangible results.
Over three years after Russia invaded its neighbor, Trump is attempting to guide Putin and Zelenskyy toward a solution, but there are significant barriers. Among these are Ukraine’s requests for military guarantees supported by the West to guarantee that Russia won’t launch another invasion in the upcoming years.
Following Russian missile and drone strikes on six Ukrainian districts overnight, Zelenskyy stated in a Telegram post on Wednesday that “strong security guarantees are necessary to ensure a truly secure and lasting peace.”
A coalition of 30 states, including European countries, Japan, and Australia, have agreed to support Kyiv’s European allies’ efforts to establish a force that might thwart any peace deal.
Military leaders are trying to figure out how that security force may operate. It’s uncertain what part the United States might play. Trump denied on Tuesday that the United States should send soldiers to Ukraine to assist defend it from Russia.
Russia has stated time and time again that it will not allow NATO forces to enter Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian police, 15 people were hurt in attacks on civilian areas in Sumy and Odesa overnight into Wednesday, including a family with three young children. According to officials, Russian strikes also targeted petroleum and energy facilities, as well as ports.
According to Zelenskyy, the strikes merely serve to highlight the necessity of applying pressure on Moscow and enacting fresh sanctions and tariffs until diplomacy reaches its maximum potential.
There may be a Putin-Zelenskyy summit in Switzerland.
Trump said on Monday that he had started making plans for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet in person, but the Kremlin has not made any public confirmation of the idea and no location has been proposed.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, suggested Geneva, Switzerland, as a possible location for the meeting. Switzerland has stated that it would be willing to host.
Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on a warrant dated March 2023 for suspected involvement in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, which restricts his ability to travel outside. As signatories to the ICC, almost 100 nations are legally required to detain the Russian leader on their territory.
According to a top official in The Hague with firsthand knowledge of the request, Switzerland plans to propose that the ICC waive its sanctions against it so that it can host Putin for a summit. The official spoke on condition of anonymity and was not permitted to discuss the procedures.
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From Kyiv, Ukraine, Novikov reported. From The Hague, Molly Quell contributed.
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