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President Trump made a definitive commitment Tuesday that no U.S. troops will be deployed to Ukraine as part of any potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. However, he indicated that other military options, particularly air power, remain on the table to prevent future Russian invasions.
In a Fox News interview, the president provided firm assurances about avoiding American boots on the ground to defend Ukraines border with Russia, even beyond his presidency. He emphasized that while European nations are willing to deploy ground forces, the U.S. would support them through air operations and other assistance.
The president also declared that Ukraines aspirations to join NATO and reclaim Crimea are impossible, offering the first concrete glimpse of what Americas post-war role in Ukraine might look like.
Questions continue surrounding the proposed meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin that Mr. Trump has been promoting. While White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Mr. Putin promised Mr. Trump that talks with Mr. Zelenskyy would occur within weeks, Moscow responded more cautiously. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that while Russia doesnt reject talks, any summit would need careful preparation through expert-level discussions before advancing to higher stages.
The path to peace remains uncertain following Mr. Trumps Monday meeting with President Zelenskyy and seven European leaders at the White House, which produced undefined security guarantee plans and optimistic bilateral talk proposals. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their offensive with overnight drone and missile strikes in eastern Ukraine.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst suggested the only realistic path to ending the war requires the West to clearly signal to Mr. Putin that he wont gain additional Ukrainian territory and that continued aggression will severely damage Russias economy.
Security arrangements remain vague, with Mr. Trump and European leaders considering an agreement similar to NATOs Article 5, which treats attacks on one member as attacks on all. However, Russia has consistently opposed NATO involvement in Ukraine and demands blocking Ukraines NATO membership as a key condition for ending the war.
Experts note that the U.S. could contribute to Ukraines security without ground troops through logistical support, weapons provision, intelligence sharing, and serving as a backstop with air and naval support for European forces. Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed his countrys participation in Ukraines security guarantees but provided no specific details.
Despite optimistic statements from the White House about Russian willingness to negotiate, Moscows cautious response follows familiar patterns of stalling and delaying meaningful talks.
Read more: Trump vows no U.S. troops for Ukraine as plans for Putin-Zelenskky talks remain in the air
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