Trump Rules Out Sending US Troops to Ukraine

United States President Donald Trump has ruled out deploying American troops to Ukraine as part of any potential deal to end the war.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Trump was asked what assurances he could give that US troops would not be sent.

“You have my assurance, and I am president. I am just trying to stop people from being killed,” he said.

Trump added that while European countries may be willing to provide ground forces, the US could instead contribute support “by air.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that US troops would not be part of any security guarantees but said Washington could assist with “coordination” and “other means of support.”

The comments came a day after Trump hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and top European leaders at the White House in his latest effort to advance negotiations to end the conflict, now in its fourth year. Zelensky and European leaders described Monday’s meeting as productive.

Trump has floated the idea that Russian President Vladimir Putin might agree to Western troops being stationed in Ukraine under a peace deal, though Moscow has dismissed the suggestion.

Talks are also strained over questions of territorial concessions and the sequencing of a ceasefire before a broader peace agreement.

On Tuesday, Trump elaborated on his plan for a bilateral summit between Zelensky and Putin, telling conservative radio host Mark Levin that “they’re in the process of setting it up.”

Although Zelensky has said he is prepared to meet Putin, Moscow has not confirmed the Russian leader’s attendance.

Meanwhile, Switzerland’s foreign affairs minister Ignazio Cassis said his country would be willing to host a potential summit. After attending Monday’s talks, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for Geneva as the summit location.