United States President Donald Trump has said American troops will not be deployed to Ukraine as part of any agreement to end Russia’s war, ruling out a direct US military presence in the country’s post-war security arrangements.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Trump was asked what assurances he could provide that US forces would not be used to defend Ukraine’s borders. He replied: “You have my assurance, and I am president. I am just trying to stop people from being killed.”

The president suggested that while European nations were prepared to send troops to bolster Ukraine’s security, Washington’s role would be limited to “air support.”

“We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably if you talk about by air, because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have,” Trump said on Fox & Friends. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that US troops would not feature in any future peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. She added that the United States would assist through “coordination” and potentially “other means of security guarantees.”

Summit Plans and Sticking Points
Trump’s remarks came a day after he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House in his latest effort to broker an end to the war, now in its fourth year.

While Zelenskyy and European leaders described Monday’s discussions as constructive, the issue of Ukraine’s long-term security remains a significant obstacle in negotiations. 

Russia and Ukraine also remain divided over potential territorial concessions and the prospect of a ceasefire ahead of a broader settlement.

Trump has previously suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin might accept the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine under a peace framework, though Moscow has consistently rejected such proposals.

On Tuesday, Trump said plans were advancing for a bilateral summit between Putin and Zelenskyy, telling conservative radio host Mark Levin that “they’re in the process of setting it up.”

Zelenskyy has indicated his readiness to meet Putin, though the Kremlin has not confirmed the Russian leader’s participation.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said his country would be prepared to host such a summit, despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended Monday’s White House meeting, said he favoured Geneva as a potential venue.

Source: Al Jazeera 

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