President Donald Trump vowed not to place U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine on Tuesday, but he didn’t rule out providing air support for the country as he pushes for a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
Trump told the hosts of “Fox & Friends” Tuesday morning that European countries “are willing to put people on the ground” in Ukraine, and that the United States could potentially provide air support.
“We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have,” Trump said.
The president added that he doesn’t believe the United States or its European allies would have to step in to push back against further Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think if a deal is made — you know, famous last words, right? — but I think if a deal is made, I think Russia’s had it, they’ve all had it. And for a very extended period of time, I don’t think there will be a problem,” Trump said. “But there will be some form of security. It can’t be NATO because that’s just not something that would ever, ever happen.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added later on Tuesday that air support for Ukraine remains “an option and a possibility.”
“The president understands that security guarantees are crucially important to ensure a lasting peace,” Leavitt said.
Trump told “Fox & Friends” that the American people have his “assurance” that no American boots would be on the ground in Ukraine under any security guarantees.
“You have my assurance — and I’m president. I’m just trying to stop people from being killed,” Trump said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would likely only accept the terms of a peace deal with Russia if Kyiv receives security guarantees from the United States and Europe, such as peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine. Russia, however, has repeatedly shot down the idea of troops from any NATO countries being deployed to Ukraine. The Kremlin said on Monday, “We reiterate our longstanding position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine, as this risks uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences.”
In February, Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was open to European troops being sent to Ukraine to ensure peace if a deal is made with Ukraine, The New York Times reported.
“He will accept that,” Trump said. “I specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it.”
