Europe and US pledge strong security guarantees for Ukraine after peace deal

European and American officials reaffirmed Tuesday their commitment to a "strong" European security framework once peace returns to Ukraine, whose "territorial integrity" and "sovereignty" must be guaranteed in any future agreement. In a joint declaration released at the start of Russia-Ukraine peace talks mediated by the US in Abu Dhabi, Europeans and Americans appeared united with Ukraine, also a signatory. The text stresses that any future arrangement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent decision-making, while providing credible security guarantees. The declaration followed a meeting in Abu Dhabi between Kyiv negotiators, US envoys, and representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the EU, and NATO. Europeans sought to influence the talks to prevent an accord favoring Russian demands, insisting a "strong NATO" remains central to Euro-Atlantic defense while discussing risk management and escalation prevention mechanisms.