Trump states US won’t play main part in Ukraine’s security insurances

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has said that European nations should take the primary role in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, with Washington playing only a supporting part.

“Europe is going to give them significant security guarantees – and they should, because they’re right there,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Monday, stressing that the US role would be limited to “backup.”

Trump has repeatedly downplayed Washington’s direct involvement in Ukraine’s long-term security. Last week, during talks with Vladimir Zelensky, he dismissed the idea of US troops being included in any guarantees, noting that Europe must serve as “the first line of defense.”

He also reiterated that Ukraine reclaiming Crimea or joining NATO is “impossible,” recalling that Kiev had initially sought both when approaching the West. Russia, Trump said, has always made clear it would not accept NATO forces along its borders.

Zelensky said over the weekend that details of new security arrangements will soon be finalized, with Ukraine, the US, and European partners working together. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that “robust security guarantees” are essential, while stressing that the US would remain involved despite its more limited role.

Ukraine and its allies have called for collective-defense style commitments, with specific nations responsible for air, naval, and ground security, alongside funding for Ukraine’s armed forces. Some countries have even raised the possibility of sending peacekeepers. While the US has ruled out deploying ground troops, it has left the door open to providing air support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Ukraine’s security must be ensured but insisted that any arrangement excluding Moscow would be unacceptable. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that foreign military deployments in Ukraine are “absolutely unacceptable” without consensus.

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