President Donald Trump clarified on Tuesday that U.S. troops will not be sent to defend Ukraine against Russia, following earlier comments that left the possibility open. In a Fox News interview, he firmly stated, “You have my assurance, and I’m president,” reinforcing that American military involvement is off the table. The White House echoed this stance, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasizing that “U.S. boots will not be on the ground” in any peacekeeping mission. This reassurance came after a high-profile meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
During the talks, Trump expressed optimism about brokering a deal to end Russia’s invasion but made clear that Ukraine would need to abandon two major goals: reclaiming Crimea and joining NATO. He described both aspirations as “impossible,” signaling a shift in U.S. diplomatic expectations. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly seeking Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and formal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory as part of any agreement. Trump claimed Putin was open to security guarantees for Ukraine, though the Kremlin has not confirmed any commitments.
Trump also proposed direct negotiations between Zelenskyy and Putin, with the possibility of three-way talks involving himself if needed. While he stated that Putin had agreed to meet Zelenskyy, Russian officials have yet to confirm this. The situation remains fluid, with Trump suggesting that Putin’s intentions will become clearer in the coming weeks. “I think Putin is tired of it,” Trump said, hinting at a potential turning point in the drawn-out conflict. However, skepticism remains over whether meaningful progress can be achieved, given the entrenched positions on both sides.