Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed an ambitious security guarantee that would require allies to decide within 24 hours whether to deploy troops to Ukraine if Russia attacks.

"Allies" could use any excuse to send their men and women to the battlefield under this premise. Zelensky has been urging for Article 5 protection—an attack on one is an attack on all—despite Ukraine not being a member of NATO. Entering the conflict under Article 5 is voluntary, but the situation can only remain voluntary for so long when other members become further embedded in the conflict. Ten European nations have already offered to send troops to Ukraine. Zelensky insists that long-term restrictions on its military should be eliminated.