A "platinum standard" security guarantee plan for Ukraine, lauded by Washington, would not involve the deployment of US ground forces. Instead, the United States is poised to lead efforts in monitoring a potential ceasefire and mediating disputes, aiming to resolve disagreements before they escalate into renewed conflict. European and Ukrainian officials discussed this plan on 16/12, outlining a framework where military intervention would be a last resort.

Should these diplomatic efforts fail and conflict between Russia and Ukraine reignite, the US would consider military action. Diplomatic sources indicated that the most viable option for the US in such a scenario involves air force intervention. Under the proposed plan, US F-35 stealth fighters and Tomahawk cruise missiles, or similar systems currently deployed in NATO member countries, "could engage in a counterattack if Russia violates the ceasefire". US officials have not yet commented on this information.

A US F-35A fighter jet en route to Santa Lucia, Mexico on 22/4. *Photo: USAF*

This security framework emerged from 18 hours of direct discussions on 14-15/12 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, concerning a potential peace agreement with Russia. Following the meeting, the US announced that both sides achieved 90% agreement on a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

President Zelensky stated that the US had proposed security guarantees mirroring NATO's Article 5. This provision stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on the entire alliance, prompting a coordinated NATO response. These security guarantees are intended to form the foundation for a broader agreement aimed at securing a ceasefire to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now nearing its fourth year. They are also viewed as a condition to persuade Ukraine to make territorial concessions in a peace agreement with Russia and to relinquish its aspirations to join NATO.

However, experts suggest that a significant obstacle to a potential ceasefire is Russia's exclusion from the Berlin negotiations. Russian leaders have maintained their demands, including Ukraine's withdrawal from the Donbass region, which encompasses the Lugansk and Donetsk provinces.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, and Telegraph)