NEED TO KNOW
- President Trump gave “my assurance” there will be no U.S. ground troops in any Ukraine security guarantee tied to a peace deal.
- He said the U.S. could help “by air,” while European allies are willing to put boots on the ground.
- Talks follow Monday’s White House meetings; core issues are territory and long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
The Big Picture
President Donald Trump said Tuesday, Aug. 19, that the United States will not deploy ground troops to defend Ukraine’s borders under any security guarantee emerging from a peace deal, while indicating Washington could assist from the air, according to Fox News. The comments came a day after his White House discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on next steps following Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Ukraine Security Guarantees
Trump said European partners are prepared to place personnel on the ground as part of a potential security arrangement, while the United States is “willing to help them with things,” likely “by air,” citing American capabilities. He added that there will be “some kind of security,” but stressed it “can’t be NATO,” referencing Ukraine’s membership ambitions.What’s New
Zelenskyy called Monday’s gathering “significant” and said Ukraine is working on “concrete” guarantees with partners. Two central questions frame the talks: how to address territory after Russia seized close to a fifth of Ukraine, and how to lock in credible protections against future aggression. Zelenskyy has maintained he cannot cede land, citing constitutional limits. European leaders have warned against rewarding aggression, arguing that doing so could undermine continental security.What They’re Saying
“My assurance is that there will be no U.S. troops deployed to defend Ukraine’s border.”
— President Donald Trump, in a Tuesday interview
Context
Trump’s remarks follow a series of high-level exchanges in Washington focused on stopping the war and shaping post-conflict security. Kyiv says Russia is waging an imperial war of conquest seeking to erase Ukrainian sovereignty and identity. Moscow claims it acted to protect national security amid Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and accuses Kyiv of trying to suppress Russian culture. While Trump has warned that Russia could face a “rough situation” if it resists a peace process, he has underscored that any American role would avoid U.S. ground deployments and rely on allied presence and U.S. capabilities where most effective.What’s Next
Trump has floated a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy that could be followed by a broader format involving the United States. Diplomats are expected to continue drafting options for security guarantees, with European partners signaling readiness to shoulder on-the-ground roles. Whether Moscow engages on terms acceptable to Kyiv remains uncertain.The Bottom Line
The U.S. is outlining a support model without boots on the ground—potentially centered on air power and allied presence—while Ukraine and Europe press for guarantees that deter renewed aggression and do not concede principles on territory or sovereignty.
Comments
More From Author
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
