Donald Trump has promised not to send American troops to Ukraine to impose a potential peace deal with Vladimir Putin, even though he suggests that Washington could offer air support to Kyiv.
The statements come in a tense diplomatic context, when European allies were hoping for a firmer American commitment.
Air support, not on the ground
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump was asked if he could assure the public – including his MAGA electoral base supporting an isolationist foreign policy – that the United States will not send troops to Ukraine. His response was clear:
"You have my assurance, and I’m president."
However, Trump suggested that the US could support Ukraine through other means:
"There’ll be some form of security. It can’t be Nato,” he said, ruling out Ukraine’s admission to the transatlantic bloc. “They’re willing to put people on the ground. We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you could talk about by air."
Putin-Zelenski Summit - ongoing negotiations
Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, confirmed that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenski expressed "willingness to sit down with each other." Locations considered for such a meeting include Budapest – at Hungary's initiative – and Geneva, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelenski reportedly declined an invitation to visit Moscow, according to diplomatic sources cited by AFP.
Meanwhile, Putin is expected at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin at the end of August, complicating the possibility of an immediate bilateral meeting, as reported by The Guardian.
Reservations from Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday that any meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders must be "very thoroughly prepared."
Meanwhile, Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov specified that Trump and Putin only discussed "raising the level of representation" in the Ukraine negotiations, without mentioning a trilateral summit with Zelenski.
Red lines: NATO and withdrawal from Donbas
Russia reiterated that the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine would be a red line. "We reaffirm our categorical opposition to any scenario involving a NATO presence in Ukraine," stated the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the same time, Putin continues to demand the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a condition deemed unacceptable by Kyiv.
Zelenski stated that he will not accept an agreement that limits the size of the Ukrainian army or legitimizes the Russian occupation: "A strong Ukrainian army must be part of our security guarantees."
Security guarantees
During the extraordinary summit at the White House, where Zelenski met with European leaders, discussions were held regarding providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenski stated that these are "a key issue, a starting point towards ending the war" and welcomed the signal from Trump that the US could contribute to these guarantees.
"These guarantees will be formalized in some way in the next week or in the next 10 days," Zelenski said.
Proposals discussed include a "reassurance force" composed of European troops but with American logistical support, without direct involvement of US forces.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni specified that although Ukraine will not join NATO, Western allies will support a "collective security clause" allowing for a rapid response in case of a new attack.
European diplomacy pressures Washington
European leaders are trying to convince the Trump administration to adopt a tougher stance against Moscow, following the friendly summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin.
European Council President António Costa organized a video conference with leaders like Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron in an effort to coordinate a common position.
However, ambiguities persist. Gérard Araud, former French ambassador to the US, wrote on the X platform:
"Nothing happened in Anchorage on August 15. Nothing happened yesterday in Washington DC either. Putin, Zelenski, and European leaders were all relieved: they avoided Trump making unwanted decisions. It was the triumph of empty ambiguity and meaningless commitments."