President Donald Trump is proposing a new transatlantic bargain on security, pushing for a European-led defense structure for Ukraine. This vision, which recasts the U.S. into a supporting role, has been a key topic in recent discussions with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin.
The framework for this new bargain was established in an August 18 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials. After this meeting, Trump discussed the implications of this shift with the Russian president.
The core of this new arrangement is that the “significant security guarantees” for Kyiv must be provided by its European neighbors. Trump has stated that the U.S. will act as “backup,” signaling a significant redistribution of security burdens.
This strategic realignment is being pursued alongside another major goal: nuclear disarmament. Trump confirmed that his talks with Putin, such as those at an August 15 meeting in Alaska, also explore the possibility of reducing nuclear arsenals once the Ukraine conflict is over.