European leaders skeptical of Trump administration's proposed security framework with Russia
EU and NATO officials expressed doubts about a U.S. plan to create a continent-wide security arrangement that would involve Russia, warning it could marginalize existing NATO and EU structures and undermine support for Ukraine.
European capitals reacted with caution to a White House proposal for a new security arrangement that would include Russia and cover the whole continent. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the existing NATO and EU frameworks already provide a security architecture and stressed that Ukraine must be integrated into it, adding that Russia continues to breach the treaties that underpin European security.
President Donald Trump described the initiative as a “big, beautiful agreement” after meeting with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, suggesting it could involve all of Europe. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and special envoy, outlined five goals for the plan: permanent security consultations, reliable crisis communications, greater military transparency, reciprocal measures to reduce escalation risks, and a lasting framework for European stability.
NATO diplomats who spoke anonymously said the proposal was unclear and feared it could be used by Moscow to legitimize its position. A senior European official noted that while the plan contains no obvious flaws, “there’s something else going on.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s adviser Björn Seibert briefed EU ambassadors, indicating willingness to engage on Kyiv and broader European issues but expressing little confidence in Russia. A senior European security official warned that discussions on European security architecture should not proceed while the war in Ukraine continues and must involve European partners.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that Europe must have a seat at any negotiations on Ukraine peace and future security structures. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned that realistic expectations are needed for peace talks and warned of shifting Russian incentives. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said a new urgency has emerged in negotiations following recent U.S. midterm elections.
Some allies also voiced concern that the U.S. initiative might be linked to an upcoming review of American troop levels in Europe, describing this as “the elephant in the room.” A NATO diplomat highlighted the uncertainty about how a U.S.-led security architecture would operate in practice.