U.S. to Play “Backup”: Trump Outlines New Ukraine Security Doctrine to Putin

In a clear message to Moscow and key European capitals, President Donald Trump has articulated a new doctrine for Ukrainian security where the U.S. will no longer be the principal actor. Instead, he envisions Europe taking the lead role, a position he reinforced during a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The foundation for this policy shift was laid during an August 18 summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. In that meeting, Trump solidified his stance, preparing the ground for his subsequent discussions with the Kremlin, ensuring a unified understanding of the new expectations.
The essence of Trump’s plan is that Europe must be the provider of “significant security guarantees” for Kyiv. Clarifying the American position to the press, Trump stated the United States would serve as “backup,” signaling a fundamental reallocation of transatlantic security burdens for the region.
This new security framework is intertwined with larger, high-stakes negotiations between the two global powers. Trump revealed that talks with Putin, including a meeting in Alaska on August 15, are also exploring the long-range goal of scaling back their nuclear arsenals following the conclusion of the Ukraine war.