President Donald Trump is instituting a new strategic reality for Ukraine, pivoting the United States from its role as primary security provider to that of a “backup” force. This significant policy change has been communicated to both Russian and European leaders.
The new framework was a key subject of a recent phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This conversation followed an August 18 meeting where Trump had already outlined this vision to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European partners.
The core of Trump’s message is a direct call for European leadership. He insists that “significant security guarantees” for Ukraine must now be a European responsibility, thereby reshaping the security landscape of the continent.
This regional focus is complemented by a broader, long-term strategic dialogue with Moscow. Trump has indicated that these discussions with Putin, including talks in Alaska on August 15, are also aimed at the eventual goal of mutual nuclear arsenal reductions post-Ukraine conflict.
