Trump Won't Send American Troops To Ukraine As Security Guarantee
JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has ruled out sending American troops to help ensure peace deal efforts in Ukraine.
In an interview with Fox News Tuesday, August 19, Trump was asked about a form of security guarantee for Ukraine when there were no American troops on the Ukrainian border.
"Yes, you have received my guarantee, and I am the president," Trump replied to the interviewer.
A White House official confirmed Trump "firmly" did not send US troops to protect Ukraine. However, the official said there were other ways for the US to ensure Kyiv was protected.
The official explained that talks about security guarantee commitments were ongoing.
Specific details of what it will look like will continue to be the subject of negotiations between the US, European allies, and Ukraine.
Trump said he still believed European countries were the "first line of defense" in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine, but the US would be involved in helping secure the region.
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At the White House on Tuesday morning WIB, US President DonaldTrump told Zelenskyy the US would help ensure Ukraine's security in any deal to end the war with Russia there, although it was not clear what assistance would be provided.
Trump made the promise at an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted President Zelenskyy and a number of European ally leaders, after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in Alaska.
Those accompanying President Zelenskyy were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Zelenskyy described his direct talks with President Trump as "very good" and said they discussed Ukraine's need for US security guarantees.
"This is very important, that the United States is giving a strong signal and ready for security guarantees," he said.