U.S. Air Power, European Troops Could Feature in Ukraine Security Deal: Trump
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made headlines with his comments on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, this time suggesting that any future security guarantees for Kyiv could include European troops on the ground and American air cover. Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Trump painted a picture of what post-war security might look like if negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv don’t deliver a breakthrough.
“When it comes to security, they’re willing to put people on the ground,” Trump said, referring to European allies he hosted at the White House on Monday. He made it clear that while Washington would not send ground forces to Ukraine, the U.S. was prepared to provide unmatched air support, saying: “No one has the kind of stuff we have, really, they don’t.”
No NATO Membership, But Security Guarantees
Trump also reiterated a position that has been a sticking point throughout the war — Ukraine will not be joining NATO. Moscow has repeatedly said that Kyiv’s entry into the Western alliance is a red line. At the same time, Trump suggested that alternative security arrangements are being considered. According to him, countries like France, Germany, and the U.K. are open to putting “boots on the ground” as part of a broader security framework.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think Putin is tired of the war,” Trump remarked, hinting at the possibility of fresh diplomatic openings.
Push for Putin-Zelenskyy Talks
Trump revealed he is working to set up a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said he has already spoken to Putin and hopes to arrange a bilateral summit soon, with the possibility of a second round of talks where he himself would join.
“I called President Putin, and we’re trying to work out a meeting with President Zelenskyy. We’ll see what happens there,” he explained. However, Trump acknowledged that Putin could back out at any stage: “I hope President Putin’s going to be good and if not, it’s going to be a rough situation.”
Trump also urged Zelenskyy to be pragmatic, saying the Ukrainian leader must show “some flexibility” if there is to be meaningful progress.
Territorial Losses on the Table
Perhaps the most controversial part of Trump’s remarks came when he said Ukraine should accept that it will not regain all the territory it has lost to Russia, including the Donbas region in the east. In his view, the focus should shift to ending the war and securing peace, even if it means making painful compromises.
“The reality is Ukraine is not strong enough to change the situation,” Trump said bluntly. His comments underscore one of the central obstacles in peace talks: the fate of the vast areas now under Russian occupation.
The Road Ahead
More than three years into the war, Ukraine’s future remains deeply uncertain. On one hand, Trump’s vision of a Western-backed security pledge offers Kyiv some reassurance. On the other hand, his insistence that NATO membership is off the table — and that Ukraine must give up hopes of reclaiming lost land — will be hard for Zelenskyy and his people to accept.
For now, much depends on whether Trump can actually bring Putin and Zelenskyy to the negotiating table. If he does, the world may see the first real attempt at peace in years. If not, the “rough situation” he warned of could continue to drag on with no clear end in sight.
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