President Donald Trump is pursuing a two-pronged diplomatic strategy, pushing for European leadership on Ukraine’s security while simultaneously engaging Russia on long-term nuclear arms reduction. A recent call with Vladimir Putin highlighted this dual approach.
The first prong was solidified in an August 18 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials. There, Trump stressed that Europe must take the lead in providing “significant security guarantees” for Ukraine, with the U.S. acting as “backup.”
This new security architecture for Ukraine was then communicated to Putin, making it clear that the U.S. expects a shift in the regional power balance. It’s a move designed to place more responsibility on nations closest to the conflict.
The second prong of Trump’s strategy involves looking beyond the current war. He has confirmed that his dialogue with Putin includes the strategic goal of shrinking their nuclear arsenals, a topic discussed at a meeting in Alaska on August 15, contingent on the resolution of the Ukraine conflict.