European leaders are considering a new framework for security guarantees to Ukraine, which will bind the Kiev allies to decide within 24 hours whether they will provide military support in the event of a new Russian attack.

The proposal, equivalent to a collective defense clause corresponding to that of NATO, but does not involve complete accession to the alliance, is promoted by Italian Prime Minister George Meloni. It is one of the options being considered, as European leaders seek to make the most of the dynamic after US President Donald Trump’s agreement to support security guarantees for the war country, according to a Bloomberg agency.

The Italian plan acknowledges that Ukraine’s NATO integration is out of debate, but will provide a collective assistance mechanism as a “second best” choice. Although the ‘NATO-LIGHT’ proposal will be short of the strong commitment of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, it will oblige states that have signed bilateral agreements with Kiev meeting immediately for the reaction in the event of a new attack, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.

The options will include rapid and constant defensive support, financial aid, strengthening the Ukrainian army, as well as new sanctions against Russia. It is not clear whether the plan would also provide troops from European countries to Ukraine.

Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and European leaders at the White House on Monday resulted in a more solid US commitment to security guarantees, a breath for Europe, as Trump had appeared to be tilted to Moscow after the Summit. At the same time, Trump excluded the mission of US soldiers to Ukraine, but left open the possibility of air support.

European officials have already begun processing guarantees, including a plan to send French and British troops to Ukraine in the context of a possible peace agreement.

Italian plan and doubts

It is not yet clear how the Melon proposal is included in the discussion. One of the scenarios considering the Italian government, according to sources knowing the consultations, is to use the bilateral security agreement signed between Rome and Kiev in 2024 as a model. However, the same sources warn that discussions are ongoing and may change.

Defense Minister Guindo Crosett told the newspaper Repubblica on Wednesday that the idea of Meloni is “NATO, as a defensive alliance, to be able to guarantee the protection of a foreign country such as Ukraine. Alternatively, individual states could commit to doing so. The best mechanism will eventually be selected. NATO, of course, would ensure superior deterrent power. “

The Italian prime minister was the first to propose Ukraine to receive the same security guarantees as NATO member states, but without a normal member, a combination that concerned some alliance diplomats. In March he had argued that this would be a more viable solution than placing troops on Ukrainian territory.

Article 5, a cornerstone of the Alliance, imposes mutual protection in the event of an attack on any Member State. Russia has vigorously opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO, arguing that this was one of the causes that led to the 2022 invasion.

Melon as a ‘bridge’

Georgia Meloni, head of Italy’s fourth longest -running government and Zelenski’s stable ally, has been in a fine balance for months: to keep Donald Trump by her side, while maintaining support for Kiev. She herself as a “bridge” between the two banks of the Atlantic.

Although Rome was initially frustrated by Trump’s unexpected foreign policy moves, the relationship has been normalized in recent months, according to Bloomberg.

“You’ve stayed there for a long time in relation to others, they can’t stand much, you have been able to stand up for a long time and you will continue to be there for a long time,” the US president said, recommending it to Washington on Monday, calling it “great leader and a source of inspiration”.

Meloni herself emphasized: “Something is changing, something has already changed, thanks to you, thanks to preventing the battlefield that the Ukrainians achieved with their courage and the unity we all offered in Ukraine.”

“I am happy to start with a proposal that is, say, the model of Article 5, which was an Italian idea from the beginning. We are always ready to submit proposals for peace, for dialogue, is something we need to build together, “he added.