Trump Considers Air Support for Ukraine, Rules Out US Ground Troops
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States could provide air support to Ukraine under a potential peace deal, but reiterated that no American ground troops would be deployed.
The comments follow a high-stakes summit at the White House where Trump pledged new security guarantees for Ukraine. However, the roadmap to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine remains murky, as allies now work to define what that support might entail.
“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 told Fox News’ Fox & Friends. He offered no further specifics.
Speaking later with radio host Mark Levin, Trump described his peace strategy as being based more on “instinct than process.” But just a day after the summit, Russia launched its largest aerial assault in over a month, firing 270 drones and 10 missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. The strikes ignited major fires at energy facilities in Poltava, home to Ukraine’s only oil refinery.
Trump acknowledged peace may not be imminent, noting, “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks.” The nature of any potential US air support remains unclear, though possibilities include missile defense systems or enforcement of a no-fly zone.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that air support “is an option and a possibility,” while reiterating that “US boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine.”
“The president is committed to supporting our European allies with security guarantees through coordination and potentially other means,” she added.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, analysts estimate more than one million people have been killed or wounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking after Monday’s White House talks, described the meeting as “a major step forward” in seeking peace. A trilateral summit between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly in the works.
Trump has floated Budapest as a potential location, following talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Istanbul and neutral Switzerland have also been mentioned. While Budapest is politically favorable for Putin, due to Hungary’s refusal to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, it is unclear whether Ukraine would agree to meet there.
“They are in the process of setting it up,” Trump told Levin, referring to the potential summit. Still, he expressed hesitancy about personally attending: “Now I think it would be better if they met without me. … If necessary, I’ll go.”
Pressed on how he balances competing interests in the conflict, Trump replied, “Well, it’s probably instinct more than process. I have instincts.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies met Tuesday in the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” format to discuss additional sanctions on Russia and begin shaping a framework for security guarantees. NATO military leaders are expected to convene Wednesday, with U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine joining virtually.
Putin, for his part, has rejected the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine and continues to demand territorial concessions — including land not currently under Russian control — despite meeting with Trump last week in Alaska.
Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute, warned that Russia may stall for time while attempting to avoid blame for obstructing negotiations.
“Everyone is tiptoeing around Trump,” Melvin said. “His security guarantees are so vague it’s very hard to take them seriously — but no one wants to be seen as the reason his peace plan fails.”
