<h1>NATO defence chiefs discuss security guarantees, coalition backstop and Western military assurances for Ukraine amid stalled diplomacy</h1> NATO defence chiefs held a virtual meeting of 32 members to discuss possible security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a US-led diplomatic push to end the war. The talks follow recent high-level meetings between the US president, the Russian president and the Ukrainian president that produced no breakthroughs. Key issues include Ukraine's demand for Western-backed military assurances and plans for a coalition force of about 30 countries to backstop any peace deal; the prospective US role is uncertain after the US president ruled out deploying American troops. Russia rejects NATO forces in Ukraine. Ongoing strikes on civilian areas reinforced calls for increased pressure and sanctions.