The U.S. military is the most feared on Earth. No one wants to be on the receiving end.
But now President Trump made a major military announcement that changes everything.
Trump Predicts No U.S. Ground Troops in Ukraine, Hints at Air Support
President Donald Trump, in a recent Fox & Friends interview, assured that no U.S. troops would be deployed to Ukraine as part of any security guarantees, while suggesting American involvement could include air protection. The comments follow his August 15 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and an August 18 White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, aimed at advancing peace negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump’s Assurance on U.S. Involvement
Trump emphasized a limited U.S. role, stating, “Well, you have my assurance. I’m president and I’m just trying to stop people from being k*lled.” He indicated that European allies would likely provide ground forces, saying, “They want to have boots on the ground,” and added that the U.S. would assist with air capabilities:
“We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you could talk about by air, because nobody has the kind of stuff we have.” Trump expressed optimism about Putin’s fatigue with the war, noting, “I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure. We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact.”
Ukraine has sought robust security guarantees to deter future Russian invasions, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announcing on August 17 that Putin agreed to allow U.S. and European protections similar to NATO’s Article 5.
However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry on August 18 rejected scenarios involving NATO contingents in Ukraine, stating, “We reaffirm our repeatedly stated position on our categorical rejection of any scenarios that envisage the appearance in Ukraine of a military contingent with the participation of NATO countries, which is fraught with an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict with unpredictable consequences,” per RIA Novosti.
Zelenskyy’s Meeting and Security Package
Zelenskyy, during his White House visit, highlighted the need for U.S. support, saying, “Security in Ukraine depends on the United States and on you and on those leaders who are with us in our hearts.”
He added, “We spoke about it and we will speak more about security guarantees. This is very important that the United States gives such strong signal and is ready for security guarantees.”
The meeting, described as cordial compared to a tense February 2025 encounter, included European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who affirmed Europe’s commitment:
“In order to have such a long-standing peace for Ukraine and for the whole continent, we do need the security guarantees. And the first one is clearly a credible Ukrainian army. For the years and decades to come. And the second one is our own commitments. All of us… You can be sure that the Europeans are very lucid about the fact that they have their fair share in the security guarantees for Ukraine, but their own security is clearly at stake in this situation.”
Zelenskyy announced a potential $90 billion European-funded security package, including U.S. firepower and a deal for America to purchase advanced Ukrainian drones.
The meeting with Trump on August 18 was notably chummy compared to the tense Feb. 28 encounter in which a dramatic shouting match between the two men erupted in the Oval Office in front of the cameras.
Zelensky was joined by about half a dozen European leaders at the last-minute White House gathering. Following his discussion with the US allies, Trump held a private call with Putin.
