Nato military leaders to meet Aug 20 to discuss Ukraine, as Trump teases air support
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Smoke rising from apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Aug 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Nato military leaders will meet on August 20 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
- Trump ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine but suggested potential US air support as part of security guarantees.
- Planning teams from the "Coalition of the Willing" will meet with US counterparts to advance security plans for Ukraine.
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LONDON - Nato military leaders are expected to meet on Aug 20 to discuss Ukraine and the way forward, US and Nato officials said on Aug 19, as Washington and European capitals work out details of what security guarantees might look like for Kyiv.
Ukraine and its European allies have been buoyed by US President Donald Trump’s promise of security guarantees to help end the war during a summit
As military planners start to work on what options might exist for security guarantees, Mr Trump ruled out sending US troops into Ukraine but suggested that Washington could provide some type of air support.
US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, who also oversees all Nato operations in Europe, will brief the chiefs of defence on the results of the Alaska meeting between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of Nato’s military committee, said there would be a video conference on Aug 20. “As diplomatic efforts to secure peace in #Ukraine progress, looking forward to (Gen Grynkewich’s) update on the current security environment,” Adm Dragone said on X.
Officials pointed out that the meeting was taking place during unique circumstances and expected topics such as the security guarantee to be discussed.
Reuters was first to report the meeting.
A US official speaking on condition of anonymity said US General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to attend the meeting, but plans could change.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The British government said what is known as the Coalition of the Willing, which met virtually on Aug 19, had agreed that their planning teams would meet with US counterparts in the coming days to advance plans for security guarantees for Ukraine.
What does US support look like?
Earlier on Aug 19, Mr Trump ruled out placing American soldiers in Ukraine and gave no specifics about the security guarantees he has previously said Washington could offer Kyiv under any post-war settlement. But in the same interview with Fox News, Mr Trump suggested that Washington could provide air support to Ukraine.
“When it comes to security, (Europeans) are willing to put people on the ground, we’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have, really they don’t have,” Mr Trump said.
He did not provide any further details.
There are a wide variety of ways the US could provide air support. It could be as simple as providing more air defence systems to Ukraine or a more involved US role that includes US fighter jets enforcing some sort of no fly zone.
Officials have told Reuters that the Pentagon is carrying out planning exercises on the type of support Washington could offer that goes beyond simply providing weapons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after his meeting with Mr Trump and European leaders that security guarantees for Kyiv will likely be worked out within 10 days. REUTERS
