Kiev ready for compromise: EU and US soldiers as a shield. And Macron reopens to Putin

The sound of air raid sirens that greeted NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, in Kiev is the paradox of a peace that has never been so close and, at the same time, so fragile. While the thermometer reads -20°C and the population suffers the cold due to raids on infrastructure, diplomacy accelerates ahead of the decisive round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

The Western "Safety Net"

The central issue is no longer just whether to stop the weapons, but how to ensure they do not start firing again. The novelty is substantial: to induce Zelensky to compromise, the USA and Europe are ready to provide direct military guarantees.

• Troops on the ground: The United States, Europe, and Canada have confirmed their willingness to deploy men, planes, and ships in the Black Sea.
• The Coalition of the Willing: According to leaks from the Financial Times, the agreement provides for a multi-level response in case of a ceasefire violation by Russia:
  • Within 24 hours: Diplomatic warning and immediate sanctions.
  • Phase two: Military intervention by the "Coalition of the Willing".
  • Total response: Coordinated intervention by Western forces, including the United States.

"The United States will be the safety net," declared Rutte, emphasizing how these "solid security guarantees" are the only way to allow Kiev to accept a truce without the fear of a new betrayal by the Kremlin.

Trump's optimism and Macron's move

On the other side of the Ocean, Donald Trump flaunts the first successes of his transactional strategy. The tycoon confirmed that Putin has respected the commitment not to strike Ukraine for a week ("from Sunday to Sunday") and is convinced that "good news" is on the way.

In this chessboard, Emmanuel Macron re-enters the scene. The French President, so far among the most critical of Moscow, is working to reopen a direct communication channel with the Tsar. "It would be useful, but I don't think Russia is currently willing to conclude," he admitted realistically, marking a change of pace compared to the total closure of recent months.

The Kremlin's resistance

Despite the openings, Moscow remains an enigma. On one hand, Putin's loyalists call the presence of Western soldiers in Ukraine "unacceptable," labeling them potential targets, while on the other, international pressure and the solidity of the new US-led coalition could force Russia into an unprecedented choice.

Zelensky has been clear: "No one will surrender", but support for American de-escalation measures confirms that the path of dialogue, although narrow, is the only one left to pursue.