U.S. pushes security guarantees for Ukraine as Europe balks
U. S. secretary of state Marco Rubio said progress was being made on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe and that U. S. -mediated negotiations were set to begin in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier, retired NATO commander Philip Breedlove warned that Vladimir Putin was seeking to split the world into spheres of influence, raising concerns among NATO members as President Donald Trump discussed a broad agreement with Russia. EU and NATO officials expressed doubts that the U. S. plan, which would create a continent-wide security arrangement involving Russia, could marginalize existing NATO and EU structures and weaken support for Ukraine. Jared Kushner had earlier outlined a five-point European security plan emphasizing permanent consultations, military transparency and respect for each nation’s sovereign alliance choices.