NATO chiefs of defense had a “great, candid discussion” today during a virtual meeting called to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, declared Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, in a posting on X. He revealed very little else of substance about the meeting. On Ukraine, he said, “we confirmed our support. Priority continues to be a just, credible and durable peace.”
Reuters reported yesterday that NATO commander General Alexus Grynkewich was to brief the chiefs of defense on the Alaska meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. General Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to attend the meeting.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the U.K. defense staff, was expected to tell the meeting that the U.K. will commit troops for logistical help and training, but he will insist that he will not place British forces directly in harm’s way. The focus will be on protecting Ukrainian airspace and ports, rather than risking combat with Russian soldiers.
According to the Reuters report, U.S. officials and other sources said that U.S. and European military planners have begun exploring post-conflict security guarantees for Ukraine. Officials told Reuters that the Pentagon is carrying out planning exercises on the support Washington could offer beyond providing weapons.
