US has asked European allies to fill out 'questionnaire' on Ukraine security guarantees, Stubb says

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The US has asked European allies to fill out a questionnaire about how many troops and capabilities they can send to Ukraine as a way of providing security guarantees to help end the conflict in Ukraine, Finland's President said on Saturday.

"Australians have received a questionnaire from the Yanks on what could be possible," said Alexander Stubb at a press conference at the Munich Security Conference, confirming a report by the Financial Times.

"This will mean that Europeans will have to decide for themselves whether they actually complete the questionnaire or complete it collectively," he added.

Asked about the talks Donald Trump said would begin "immediately" between the US and Russia to bring peace to Ukraine, Stubb said that "nothing has started" and called for a calm in Europe.

The statement by the US President sparked widespread condemnation in Europe, with concerns that Ukraine and European countries might be excluded from the peace talks. Further comments from US State Secretary Pete Hegseth that Ukraine's goals of becoming a NATO member and returning to its borders before 2014 were "unrealistic" also caused offence, suggesting Russia had already gained two major concessions without giving anything in return.

"Europe needs to step up and take decisive action. Europe needs to stop talking and start taking concrete steps. What's concerning is that we're seeing a lack of coordination in our diplomatic efforts. I see many people here who are frustrated and dissatisfied with the current situation. But my question is, what concrete actions will you take to address this?" Stubb told reporters.

The Finnish politician, who was the chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) when the peace agreement in Georgia was being negotiated in 2008, said that peace talks have at least three stages, and that Trump started the first one on "pre-negotiations".

During this phase, he said, the focus would be on applying the greatest possible pressure on Russia and to keep Ukraine in a position of strength.

Phase two would involve a ceasefire with a clear definition of the border and monitoring on both sides while each side puts into action "confidence-building measures". During this time, both sides would work out the details and agenda for the actual negotiations, which would be phase three.

"But this can't happen unless there are clear security arrangements in place for Ukraine, with Ukraine in the lead, the EU providing support, and the United States offering a safety net, because the only thing that Russia and Putin understand is strength," Stubb said.

"We're now aware we need to position Ukraine in a position of strength for the negotiations. However, for that to happen, we require a plan. And to me, it appears that no one has a clear strategy for a plan," he added.

The US questionnaire, he continued, should therefore be seen as "good news" as it indicated that allies had time to prepare.

He said Europe "shouldn't get ahead of itself" by worrying about who will be at the negotiating table, and should focus on making sure it can provide Ukraine with "sustainable security arrangements".

"G'day, I reckon the bottom line is pretty clear at the negotiating table, if there is one, will be made up of Ukraine, Russia, the Yanks, and Europe in some form or another," he said.

General Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, had however earlier in the day said that there was no guarantee of European participation in the peace talks.

“Fair dinkum, you can have the Ukrainians, the Russians, and as clear as day the Yanks at the table talking,” he said at a bash at the Munich Security Conference.

He was asked about Europe's involvement and replied, "I'm from the school of realism. I think that's not going to happen."