U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has ruled out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the United States might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A day after Trump pledged security guarantees to help end the war at the White House summit, the path to peace remained uncertain as the U.S. and its allies prepared to work out what military support for Ukraine might include.
“When it comes to security, Europeans are willing to put people on the ground. We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably … by air,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
Trump did not elaborate. Later, in an interview with radio host Mark Levin, Trump characterized his negotiating style in trying to end the war as “probably instinct more than process.”
Following Monday’s meeting, Russia launched its biggest air assault in more than a month on Ukraine, with 270 drones and 10 missiles launched, the Ukrainian air force said. The energy ministry said the strikes caused large fires at energy facilities in the central Poltava region, home to Ukraine’s only oil refinery.
Trump conceded that Russian President Vladimir Putin might not want to make a deal after all, saying, “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks.”
The nature of U.S. military aid for Ukraine under a peace deal was unclear. Air support could include missile defense systems or fighter jets enforcing a no-fly zone.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that U.S. air support was “an option and a possibility,” but, like Trump, she did not provide any details.
Trilateral meeting?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the White House talks as a “major step forward” toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in 80 years and setting up a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump. Zelenskyy’s warm rapport with Trump contrasted sharply with their disastrous Oval Office meeting in February.
Trump discussed Budapest as a venue for a summit involving Zelenskyy and Putin with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday, a White House official said.
Istanbul, where delegations for the two countries have met previously, has also been mentioned, a senior administration official said.
Switzerland also said it would be ready to host Putin for any peace talks. “They are in the process of setting it up,” Trump told radio host Levin about a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting.
But Trump cast doubt on whether he would attend, saying: “Now I think it would be better if they met without me. … If necessary, I’ll go.”
Asked by Levin how he balanced the interests of all the parties involved, Trump said, “Well, it’s probably instinct more than process. I have instincts.”
Ukraine’s allies held talks in the so-called Coalition of the Willing format on Tuesday, discussing additional sanctions to increase the pressure on Russia. The grouping also agreed that planning teams will meet U.S. counterparts in the coming days to develop security guarantees for Ukraine.
NATO military leaders were expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine, with U.S. General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expected to attend virtually.
Putin has said Russia will not tolerate NATO troops in Ukraine.
