Trump Discusses Potential Troop Deployment for Ukraine
President Donald Trump has not dismissed the idea of deploying U.S. troops to help foster peace in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he indicated that an announcement might come later that day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Trump in the Oval Office shortly after a tense interaction earlier in February, which took place just days after Trump had discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. When questioned about security guarantees and the possibility of U.S. troop presence in Ukraine, Trump affirmed that the U.S. would “help them.”
“We’ll let you know later today that we’re in talks with seven great leaders, great nations. They’re all involved, but there’s a lot of support regarding security,” Trump shared with journalists.
He continued, “There’s substantial help. That’s going to be a good thing. They are essentially the first line of defense; they’re Europe. But we’re going to support them.”
At the White House, Zelensky joined various European leaders in discussions about the peace conditions regarding the ongoing conflict. Before the meeting, Trump suggested Zelensky consider relinquishing Ukraine’s NATO membership and. . . well, take over Crimea.
“Zelensky could end the war with Russia if he wanted to,” Trump asserted. “It all goes back to how it started. He can go back to Obama and give up Crimea (you know, 12 years ago, without any shots being fired!) and decide against NATO membership for Ukraine.”
Trump’s prior meeting with Putin in Alaska was focused on concluding the war. Afterward, world leaders shared their thoughts but did not pose questions.
“There were numerous points of agreement, and while we may have some major topics left to tackle, we made strides forward,” he concluded.
