Mondays high-stakes White House meetingbringing together President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and key European leaderscentered on one urgent question: can Ukraine secure ironclad security guarantees that deter Russia without triggering NATO membership? With Moscow escalating its campaign of terror and the West still hesitant, the gathering was less about breakthroughs and more about clarifying the battle lines for Ukraines survival.On the night of August 2021, Russia unleashed one of the most intenseaerial assaults in monthslaunching 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles into western Ukraine. This wave of strikes targeted regions previously considered less vulnerable, signaling a dangerous expansion of Moscows strategy.Among the hardest-hit sites was a U.S.-owned Flex electronics factory in Mukachevo, near the Hungarian border. The civilian facilitymanufacturing consumer productswas struck directly, sparking a massive fire, injuring civilians, and sending a clear message that Russia is willing to target American economic interests inside Ukraine.RUSSIAN CRUISE MISSILES HIT US COMPANY IN MASSIVE UKRAINE STRIKE AMID TRUMPS PEACE PUSHPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as proof that Moscow has no intention of pursuing peace, while company officials stressed that the factory had no military connection and voiced deep concern for their employees safety.The timing of this ruthless offensive could not be more telling. It came just days after President Trumps peace pushfirst in Alaska with President Vladimir Putin and then at the White House with Zelenskyy and European allies. The so-called 'peace initiative' now looks hollow, undermined by Russias willingness to escalate while talks were still fresh.PUTIN ISSUES FORMAL DEMANDS TO END UKRAINE WAR AFTER MEETING WITH TRUMP: REPORTIn response, NATO and allied planners are weighing stronger guarantees for Ukraine. Yet, as of now, those discussions stop short of committing U.S. or European ground forcesa reality that leaves Kyiv vulnerable. The Kremlin, for its part, flatly rejects any form of external military assistance, further complicating the path forward. Russia is now openly targeting civilian and American-owned infrastructure, proving that this war is as much about intimidation as territory.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Diplomatic efforts are consistently undercut by violence. The very timing of the assault highlights Moscows use of negotiations as cover for continued aggression. Strategic equilibrium remains fragile. Ukraines survival hinges not on vague assurances but on enforceable guarantees with teeth.The latest Russian escalationstriking American investments and Ukrainian civilians alikedemonstrates that peace is still far from our reach. Diplomatic promises alone cannot deter Putin. Only guarantees backed by real enforcement, rapid response mechanisms, and tangible consequences for violations will prevent Moscow from striking again.The West faces a choice: provide Ukraine with credible protection or watch history repeat itself as empty promises embolden aggression.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS