Security guarantees for Ukraine should begin to be discussed soon through the so-called"coalition of the willing", led by France and the United Kingdom, the President of the European Council, António Costa, announced this Tuesday, after the video conference of European leaders who assessed the situation following the meeting the day before at the White House.
"In the coalition of the willing, we have been working on security guarantees," António Costa began, adding that"ideally this week" the military terms will be discussed in a process led by the United Kingdom and France. The issue may involve the creation of a mechanism similar to NATO's Article 5, according to which an attack on a member could trigger a common defense process.
Security guarantees for Ukraine will be one of the pillars of a future agreement, with Costa pointing to"supportive action for a future agreement so that it does not suffer the fate of other peace agreements." The President of the European Council made it clear that the basis for lasting peace lies in strengthening the Ukrainian army."Those who have their feet on the ground, those on the front lines, the basis of security guarantees are the Armed Forces of Ukraine (...) which is currently the best-prepared European army for combat action."
In a message on social media, António Costa revealed that he immediately spoke with President Volodimyr Zelensky, reaffirming the European Union's (EU) support for Kyiv.
Right after our discussion with the members of the European Council, I had a phone call with President @ZelenskyyUa. I underlined the EU’s unity and unwavering support for Ukraine, as well as our commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia.
At Tuesday's meeting, European leaders reached an agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia—the 19th—in an attempt to weaken Moscow's war financing capabilities, but also to unlock European financing (a facility)"to strengthen Kyiv's military capabilities." The 27 reinforced the need to "advance the enlargement process," with Costa emphasizing that "Ukraine's future is not just the end of the war." For the Council President,"there is still much work ahead" in the coming weeks and months.
When asked about the role reserved for the European Union in the next steps, Costa was evasive."The EU was present in the negotiations with President Trump yesterday [Monday] and is part of the 'coalition of the willing,' and in the future, the negotiations will have the appropriate format," he stated, insisting that"only Ukraine can negotiate and discuss. The European Union does not have to be present." However, at a future meeting, after a possible bilateral or trilateral conference between Ukraine, Russia, and the US, the EU wants to be present.
Even before the remote meeting began, the President of the European Council, who convened the meeting, wrote on social media that"Ukraine has been – and will continue to be – at the top of leaders' agendas in the coming weeks and months, as we continue to support efforts towards a just and sustainable peace," but stressed that "as a first step, Russia must immediately end the violence."
The video conference with the members of the European Council for a debrief on the talks regarding Ukraine began a few minutes ago.The EU firmly supports the Ukrainian people and President @ZelenskyyUa.Ukraine has been — and will remain — at the top of Leaders’ agendas in the…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) August 19, 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also signaled the optimistic tone of the negotiations that took place the day before in Washington with US President Donald Trump, particularly on the issue of post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.
At today’s European Council convened by @eucopresident, we are discussing the progress made in our efforts for peace for Ukraine.In Washington D.C. talks advanced on strong security guarantees for Ukraine, ending the bloodshed, sanctions and the return of the abducted children.…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 19, 2025
A summit in the Alps?
For now, nothing has been decided regarding a bilateral summit between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. While the signs from the Kremlin are less than encouraging—the Russian Foreign Minister stated that any meeting must be prepared with"great care"—Western partners are maintaining pressure on Vladimir Putin to make this meeting happen.
For French President Emmanuel Macron, the meeting should take place on European soil, and he suggested Switzerland, a country known for its historic neutrality."More than a hypothesis, it is the collective will," said the French leader."It will be in a neutral country, so perhaps Switzerland, I suggest Geneva, or another [European] country. The last time there were bilateral talks was in Istanbul," he recalled.
Switzerland has already expressed its willingness to receive the two leaders and to offer immunity to Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant, on the condition that he attend a peace conference in the country.
The guarantee was given by the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, recalling that last year the federal government defined new rules on immunity granted to individuals under international arrest warrants, if that person travels to the country as part of a peace conference.
The measure does not apply to trips"for personal reasons," Cassis said during a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, in Bern.
In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian head of state for the"abduction of Ukrainian children" from regions of Ukraine, invaded by Moscow's forces, and who were deported to territories in Russia.
