Trump Vows Not To Send U.S. Troops To Ukraine, Considers Air Support As Part Of Security Guarantee
President Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. will not send ground troops as part of security guarantees for Ukraine as he works to broker a peace deal.
He told Fox & Friends that European leaders are “willing to put people on the ground” since the war is at their doorstep, while the U.S. would primarily provide air support.
He noted that NATO troops would not be part of the deal, though NATO relies on its 32 member countries for military support, and some of those NATO member countries could provide assistance to Ukraine. Putin has declared that NATO troops in Ukraine would be unacceptable to him.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Tuesday morning interview followed Trump’s White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as European and NATO leaders. Trump is hopeful that a direct Ukraine-Russia leadership meeting may come soon. He even said he thinks Zelensky and Putin are “getting along a little bit better than I thought.”
Later Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the two nations had spoken directly. It is unclear who was part of those talks.
Russian officials did not sound as hopeful about the meeting, telling state media Tuesday, “any contacts involving top officials should be prepared very carefully.”
Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch massive strikes against Ukraine — firing 270 drones and missiles hours after Monday’s White House meeting.