NATO defense chiefs held a “candid discussion” Wednesday on possible security guarantees for Ukraine to support a peace deal that could end Russia’s three-year war, a senior alliance official said.

Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s Military Committee, said 32 defense chiefs joined a video conference amid a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the conflict. “I thanked everyone for their always proactive participation…we are united, and that unity was truly tangible today,” he wrote on X, without giving further details.

Key issues include assurances that Ukraine will not face future invasions, as Kyiv seeks Western support for weapons and training. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized talks without Moscow, saying such efforts “will not work” and vowing to protect Russia’s interests.

U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, and U.S. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participated in the talks. Military chiefs are also exploring how a 30-nation coalition force could backstop any peace deal, though Russia opposes NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.

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Overnight Russian strikes injured 15 people and hit ports, fuel, and energy infrastructure, prompting Zelenskyy to call for increased pressure on Moscow through sanctions and tariffs.

Plans are underway for a potential Putin-Zelenskyy summit in Europe, possibly Geneva, with Switzerland offering to host. Arrangements are complicated by Putin’s ICC warrant, and Swiss authorities plan to seek exemptions to allow his travel.

Source: Agency