Chiefs of Defense reiterated their support for Ukraine during a virtual meeting held Wednesday in Brussels. The gathering included all 32 allied military leaders and featured the first briefing in this format delivered by U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the newly appointed Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
U.S. officials confirmed on Tuesday that Gen. Dan Caine attended the meeting virtually, along with Grynkewich, who also commands U.S. European Command.
NATO officials stated that the “candid discussion” primarily revolved around the security guarantees the alliance might offer Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement to conclude Russia’s three-year conflict.
Col. Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, stated that “the Supreme Allied Commander was honored to brief the Chiefs of Defense, his first in such a format. As he has said before, ‘these are consequential times.'”
“NATO has faced important times before — and these have only made our Alliance stronger. As we work through these important issues, we will all stay informed, engaged, and united in the defense of the Euro-Atlantic region and with NATO’s ongoing support to Ukraine as progress towards peace continues,” he added.
The Chair of NATO’s Military Committee also praised the discussions, posting on X that it was a “great, candid discussion among NATO Chiefs of Defence” and provided an “excellent update on the security environment from our new SACEUR, his first with us.”
The chair further noted that the meeting affirmed the alliance’s focus on a “just, credible and durable peace” and commended the “relentless courage” of Ukrainian forces.
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Guarantees ensuring Ukraine will not face another invasion are considered fundamental to any settlement, with Kyiv advocating for Western-backed military commitments, including weapons and training. European allies are exploring options for a multinational security force that could underpin a peace deal.
Wednesday’s virtual session took place against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s efforts to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward a resolution. Trump had met with Putin last Friday in Alaska and then hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Monday.
These reaffirmations came a day after Caine convened a smaller meeting in Washington with defense chiefs from Germany, the U.K., France, Finland, and Italy to prepare for Wednesday’s broader NATO discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized NATO discussions on Ukraine’s security conducted without Moscow’s involvement, warning that “this will not work” and vowing that Russia would “ensure its legitimate interests firmly and harshly,” RIA Novosti reported, as cited by AP.
The relevant entity did not immediately respond to the news outlet’s request for comment.