Trump: US forces will not be sent to Ukraine

United States President Donald Trump stated that American forces will not be sent to defend Ukraine against Russia, after earlier comments had left the possibility unclear, according to Arab News via Associated Press on August 19th. 

During an interview, Trump also questioned Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and reclaim Crimea, calling both objectives “impossible.”

These remarks followed a meeting at the White House on August 18th with multiple world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions, which lasted several hours, aimed to explore potential solutions to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, though no conclusive agreement was reached. When asked about the possibility of U.S troops joining a European-led security mission, Trump did not entirely rule it out. 

Following the White House talks, Trump noted that during his recent meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin leader had expressed openness to security guarantees for Ukraine.

Previously, on August 13th, Zelensky stated that he had informed “the US president and our European partners that Putin is bluffing” regarding future peace talks.

After reporters pressed Trump about what assurance he could offer US troops that they would not be sent into the conflict, Trump responded, “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.”

Later that day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration’s stance, stressing that “US boots will not be on the ground” in any future peacekeeping arrangement.

Trump voiced cautious optimism about reaching a settlement with Moscow but emphasised that Kyiv must abandon its pursuit of NATO membership and its claims over Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. “Both of those things are impossible,” he said.

As part of any potential agreement, Putin is seeking the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk and Luhansk and recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.

Trump, increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress toward peace, said he is facilitating direct talks between Putin and Zelensky, though the Kremlin has yet to confirm Putin’s willingness to participate. However, according to Leavitt, Putin has privately agreed to a meeting.

Initially, Trump had proposed trilateral talks with himself included, but later adjusted plans to prioritise a one-on-one dialogue between Zelensky and Putin, with broader discussions to follow if necessary.

“I think Putin is tired of it,” Trump remarked. “I think they’re all tired of it. But you never know.”

Arab News via Associated Press, Maghrebi.org