The key facts

  • European countries want to begin discussing a common security architecture after the Ukrainian conflict ends
  • The EU considers Russia's 2021 demands unacceptable, as they would nullify NATO's presence in Eastern Europe
  • Security guarantees for Ukraine are a sticking point: Moscow opposes Western troops, while Kyiv and its allies consider them mandatory

Europe's position: first the end of the war, then discussions

European countries want discussions on a common security architecture for the continent to begin only after the Ukrainian conflict is over. Bloomberg reports this, citing sources. According to them, holding such discussions while Moscow continues military operations against Ukraine and violates a number of existing agreements would be pointless; the outlet notes that such an approach risks further straining relations with the Trump administration.

What exactly the EU dislikes

European officials point out that the demands Russia put forward in 2021 would in fact nullify NATO's presence in Eastern Europe, which is why the EU considers them unacceptable. According to Bloomberg, one of the main goals of the existing security system is deterring Russia from attacking Europe.

The sticking point — guarantees for Ukraine

Sources said that security guarantees for Ukraine are currently a sticking point in the negotiations: Moscow opposes the presence of Western troops in Ukraine, while Kyiv and its European allies consider this condition mandatory.

Context: reaction to Trump's statements

On November 6, US President Donald Trump said that agreements with Russia and Ukraine on resolving the crisis would be sweeping and would affect all of Europe. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that a peace agreement on Ukraine cannot be concluded without the EU's participation. Politico wrote that Trump's words about the deal were met with skepticism in Europe, which would concern security in Europe, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the US desire to discuss a new security architecture with Russia dangerous.