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U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will not send ground forces to Ukraine but may consider limited air support as part of efforts to end Russia's war, leaving key questions about Washington's role in future security guarantees.
Speaking to Fox News after a high-profile White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders, Trump reiterated that "boots on the ground" are off the table. Instead, he suggested Washington's involvement could come "probably by air," though he offered no further details.
The remarks came as Russia carried out its largest aerial assault in more than a month, launching 270 drones and 10 missiles across Ukraine overnight. Strikes sparked major fires at energy facilities in the Poltava region, according to Ukrainian officials. At the same time, Moscow repatriated the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers while receiving 19 of its own troops in return.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that U.S. air support was "an option and a possibility," emphasizing that the president has ruled out American soldiers in Ukraine. "We can help coordinate and strengthen guarantees alongside our European partners," she said.
For Zelenskiy, the summit marked what he described as a "significant step forward" in building a framework for peace. He announced preparations for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Moscow has made no formal commitment. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any potential talks would require "thorough preparation."
Analysts warn the path to a settlement remains uncertain. Putin has continued to demand control over territory beyond areas currently held by Russian forces, while Western governments debate the structure of long-term guarantees.
Neil Melvin of the Royal United Services Institute noted that both Kyiv and Moscow appear intent on avoiding blame for obstructing Trump's peace process. "They are all tiptoeing around Trump," he said, describing Washington's assurances as "so vague it's very hard to take seriously."
