US and European countries prepared proposals for a plan to support Ukraine after the war
For the first time in several months, European officials reported good cooperation with American negotiators.
Participants of the meeting in Berlin, held on December 14-15. From left to right in the first row: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump's special representative Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; in the second row: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Photo: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, Pool
American and European negotiators have developed drafts of two documents to support Ukraine after a potential "peace agreement" is reached, writes The New York Times, citing sources.
The publication notes that for the first time in several months, European officials reported good cooperation with American negotiators.
NYT writes that American and European officials noted that the draft security documents were processed during more than eight hours of intensive discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian representatives in Berlin on Sunday and Monday. The talks involved heads and national security officials from about a dozen European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain.
One of the draft documents outlines general principles. According to two American officials and several European diplomats, this is a commitment similar to NATO's Article 5 guarantees, under which all member countries pledge to provide assistance to any country that comes under attack.
Another part of the agreement, which American officials called an "operational document between the militaries," contains more detailed information. It explains how American and European forces will cooperate with the Ukrainian military to ensure that Russia does not attempt to re-occupy Ukrainian territory in the coming years. NYT adds that neither of the draft documents has been published.
“Individuals familiar with them stated that the operational draft document contains numerous specific instructions designed to reassure Ukraine in various scenarios of possible Russian aggression. One American official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, stated that the document is "very specific" in how to prevent further invasions and punish Russia if they occur.”
According to the publication, the primary task is a plan to bring the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to a "peace-time level" of 800,000 troops with modern equipment and training, so that they are a "powerful deterrent for Russia."
For comparison, the German army numbers about 180,000 armed servicemen.”
Creating such armed forces will require "constant and significant support" for Ukraine, states a joint declaration by the leaders of 10 European countries and high-ranking officials of the European Union.
The draft document also specifies details regarding European-led military forces that will assist Ukraine, operating within the country to ensure air and maritime security.
Officials declined to provide specific details about which countries would deploy troops to Ukraine, but Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that several countries had privately pledged to do so.
These troops are expected to be deployed in western Ukraine, far from the front line, and will serve as an additional deterrent to any future aggression by Russia.
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