Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted that US troops may be involved in a peace plan with Russia, despite Donald Trump previously ruling out the idea. It comes as the US President continues to speak with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in the region.
Zelensky has since reportedly told the media in a WhatsApp chat that “Kyiv is discussing with President Trump US troops presence in Ukraine.” However, there are concerns that the move could be seen as an escalation of the situation.
Donald Trump previously insisted that, although the US could help through air support and other means of security, they will not be putting boots on the ground in the region. He said that Ukraine cannot rely on joining NATO as its key form of security.
The US President previously said the world leaders were “good people” who “want to end the war”. He added that the conflict in Ukraine is closer to them because “we have an ocean that's separating us”.
Trump continued: “So it's a different kind of a thing for them. When it comes to security, they're willing to put people on the ground.”
Despite Trump being emphatic that US troops will not be based in Ukraine as part of security guarantees, European soldiers could be part of the deal for Kyiv. Sir Keir Starmer was previously part of a virtual meeting with over 30 international leaders who, according to a Downing Street spokesperson, “discussed how further pressure – including through sanctions – could be placed on [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin until he showed he was ready to take serious action to end his illegal invasion”.
Russia has recently accused Ukraine of bombing one of Putin's presidential palaces. Although Zelensky has denied the claim, Trump said he was “very angry” to hear the news and that it was “not the right time to do any of that”.
Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida as he turned his attention to the Middle East on Monday. They discussed the progress of the ceasefire deal with Gaza as well as the position of the Israeli government.