US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that no American troops will be deployed in Ukraine as part of any potential peace agreement with Russia. “You have my assurance, and I’m president,” Trump declared in an interview with Fox News shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
European Troops and Security Arrangements
Trump noted that European allies are prepared to send troops to Ukraine as part of a security guarantee, but emphasized that the US would not put “boots on the ground.” “There’ll be some kind of security,” he said, while clarifying that it “can’t be NATO.”
Following Monday’s discussions, Trump confirmed that security guarantees for Ukraine were a key focus. These would involve commitments from European nations, coordinated with US support.
“Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting with President Zelenskyy at a later date,” Trump shared on Truth Social.
Understanding Security Guarantees
The proposed security guarantees suggest that Europe and the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”—countries interested in facilitating a peace deal—are responsible for following through on prior commitments.
President Zelenskyy expressed optimism, stating that peace negotiations could be solidified with security guarantees within the next 10 days. “Security guarantees will probably be ‘unpacked’ by our partners, and more details will emerge,” he said after his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office. “All of this will be formalized on paper within the next week to 10 days.”