Donald Trump has said that, as president, he will not authorise the deployment of American troops to Ukraine. In a statement on Fox News, the US President revealed his plans regarding possible security guarantees.
Mr Trump said that European countries would take the lead role because they face a different situation due to their proximity to the war zone. “They want to have boots on the ground,” he said, referring to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.” When asked about whether he could give assurances that there would not be US boots on the ground, Trump said, “You have my assurance, and I’m president”. He added, “I’m just trying to stop people being killed.”
During the wide-ranging phone interview, Mr Trump suggested US support for Ukraine’s security could come in the form of air power. The US president also said he always thought that Ukraine was a “buffer” between Russia and Europe.
The US leader said he had a “very good call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his meeting with Mr Zelensky and several European and NATO leaders on Monday (August 18), including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
“I didn’t do it in front of them, I thought it would have been disrespectful to President Putin,” he said.
“Putin wouldn’t talk to the people from Europe.”
Also on Monday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson echoed similar views. They said that Britain is ready to put boots on the ground in Ukraine while en route to Washington for the talks.
The spokesperson said: “We are ready to put UK boots on the ground in Ukraine to reassure Ukrainians and to secure the safe skies, safe seas and build the strength of the Ukrainian forces.”
They reaffirmed their stance on Ukraine joining NATO and added, “Putin has never been serious about peace”.
Yesterday, Donald Trump interrupted his crunch meeting with European leaders to call Putin. The Kremlin said a 40-minute phone call was described by the Russian dictator as “frank” and only “fairly constructive”.
