Amid intensifying diplomatic efforts to find ways to end the three-year war with Russia, Finland’s president said on Saturday that the United States has asked European capitals what they can offer in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine.
Four European sources earlier claimed that the United States had sent a document earlier this week that included questions about potential future troop contributions. Two of the sources also said that the document was sent earlier this week.
At the Munich Security Conference, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Reuters, “The Americans have given Europeans the questionnaire on what would be possible.”
“This will compel Europeans to reflect, and it is then up to the Europeans to determine whether they complete the questionnaire alone or in tandem.”
According to the Financial Times, Washington had requested information from its European allies about the weapons, peacekeeping forces, and security measures they could offer Ukraine.
According to a European diplomat with knowledge of the document, “the idea is evidently to see how European allies see the possible framework for negotiations to put an end to the conflict, and the possible engagement of Europe and the United States,”
According to one diplomat, one of the six questions was reserved especially for EU member states.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for the establishment of a European army, claiming that the continent could no longer be guaranteed protection from the United States and that Washington would only respect it if it had a powerful military.
In a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that talks to end the war should start immediately.
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