Trump Pledges U.S. Military Support for European-Led Ukraine Reassurance Force

European leaders have expressed approval of former U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to facilitate American military support for a European-led "reassurance force" aimed at securing Ukraine's post-peace stability. During a call with Trump ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders underscored the significance of the U.S. role in backing a multinational force designed to monitor and enforce any potential ceasefire or peace agreement in Ukraine [1]. The initiative, part of a coalition of over 30 countries supporting Ukraine, hinges on the deterrent effect of U.S. military capabilities, particularly airpower, which European nations lack in sufficient quantities [2].

While U.S. troops will not be directly involved, the implicit threat of American airpower behind the European force is expected to dissuade Russian aggression. European Council President Antonio Costa welcomed Trump’s readiness to collaborate on reinforcing security conditions once peace is achieved, and French President Emmanuel Macron noted the U.S. leader’s insistence that NATO should not be part of the security guarantees, though he affirmed the U.S. commitment to participation [3]. However, Trump has yet to publicly confirm the nature of U.S. support, and previous inconsistencies in his stance raise questions about the durability of this commitment.

The multinational force, still in the planning stages, would operate under a coordination framework with headquarters initially in Paris, set to move to London next year. A coordination center in Kyiv will be established once hostilities cease. The force is expected to enhance Ukraine’s land, air, and maritime defenses, with British personnel already involved in reconnaissance and training efforts. Russia has consistently rejected the idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling such a deployment “unacceptable,” drawing a parallel to Ukraine's potential NATO membership [4].

Despite U.S. support, European efforts to secure broader participation in the force face resistance. Greece and Italy have both ruled out sending troops, with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasizing the importance of U.S. involvement in coordination meetings. Trump’s February decision to remove Ukraine’s NATO membership as a diplomatic option has further complicated peace efforts, as NATO accession remains a key security assurance for Kyiv and a red line for Moscow [5].

Trump’s pledge has been seen as a strategic move to reassure European allies of continued U.S. engagement in the region without overtly aligning with Ukraine. Still, the absence of direct commitments and the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s future diplomatic approach have left European and Ukrainian leaders cautious. The effectiveness of the reassurance force—and the broader peace effort—will depend heavily on sustained U.S. involvement and a coherent international strategy.

Sources:

[1] Fortune - https://fortune.com/2025/08/15/trumps-ukraine-reassurance-force-europe-russia-nato/

[2] Council - http://www.cfr.org/article/trump-coordinates-europe-ukraine

[3] The - https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/14/europe-weather-extreme-temperatures-wildfires-trump-putin-talks-latest-updates-news?filterKeyEvents=false

[4] Newsweek - https://www.newsweek.com/trump-putin-summit-live-updates-donald-trump-says-russian-leader-will-make-deal-2113757

[5] The - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-trump-putin-alaska-paris-peace-accords-1973/