President Donald Trump is floating the idea of U.S. air support for Ukraine as part of a broader security guarantee, framing it as an effort to bring peace to war-torn Eastern Europe.
The proposal, though vague on details, suggests Trump is open to providing air support — but not boots on the ground — as a deterrent against future Russian aggression. While Trump has previously criticized the scale and cost of unconditional U.S. aid to Ukraine, he has more recently signaled support in a strategic form in response to continued Russian obstinance.
As The Hill reports:
Trump has said the U.S. will help Europe craft security guarantees for Ukraine to backstop any peace deal reached with Russia, in lieu of Ukraine joining NATO, a red line for Russia.
“When it comes to security, they are willing to put people on the ground,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News that aired Monday evening, referring to Europe. “We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump has tasked his national security team to “come up with a framework for these security guarantees that can be acceptable to help ensure a lasting peace and end this war.”
“I won’t, certainly, rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal, I’ll let him do that,” she said, adding the president has “definitively” ruled out boots on the ground.
Trump’s comments come as the war enters its fourth year and questions grow over the sustainability of Ukraine’s defense amid a grueling war of attrition.
After a Monday Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump did not rule out deploying U.S. troops as part of a post-deal peacekeeping force — though he stressed any American role would be limited and likely in support of a broader European-led operation.
Throughout the talks, Trump prioritized a long-term peace deal over a quick ceasefire, framing security guarantees — potentially with military components — as essential to a lasting agreement.
European leaders echoed that view, insisting any peace must include credible security protections and a reaffirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Trump later met with European and NATO leaders in a multilateral session.
More specifics are likely to emerge as pressure builds for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin.
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