Trump rules out US troops on the ground in any Ukraine peace deal

London: US President Donald Trump has ruled out sending troops to Ukraine in a potential peace deal with Russia, placing a strict limit on America’s role and putting the onus on European nations to enforce any truce.

Trump offered US Air Force support to the peace plan but assured American voters he would not put “boots on the ground” in Ukraine – a key issue for those in his MAGA movement who oppose a bigger commitment to the European war.

The comment came a day after Trump left the option open when asked twice if he would send ground troops, signalling the caution in the White House about how to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin honours any peace deal.

European leaders are preparing to impose more sanctions on Russia to encourage Putin to end the war, while they step up plans for a “coalition of the willing” to offer security to Ukraine, which was backed with a message of support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday night.

Trump has promised to “coordinate” the security guarantees that European countries will offer to Ukraine to support any peace deal, given their concerns Putin would breach a deal and trigger future conflict, but his assurance about troops puts another limit on the US role.

In an interview on Fox News, the president also revealed that he hoped his efforts to see peace in Ukraine would help him after he died.

“I want to try and get to heaven, if possible,” Trump said.

“I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

Asked if he could offer any assurances there would be no American boots on the ground, Trump said: “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.”

The White House is eyeing the Hungarian capital of Budapest as a venue for a possible trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Politico reported, citing a Trump administration official and a person close to the administration.

The US Secret Service is preparing for the summit in the Central European nation.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron chaired another meeting of their “coalition of the willing” on Tuesday in Europe to negotiate the military support they could offer to Ukraine if there was a peace deal with Russia.

Albanese joined the online meeting along with 30 other leaders. He has said he will consider Australian support for the coalition, but has not promised ground troops.

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine,” Albanese said in a social media post shortly after 9pm, AEST, on Tuesday.

“Australia welcomes ongoing efforts towards achieving a just and enduring peace, including yesterday’s discussions in Washington.”

Zelensky responded online: “Thank you for your support!”

Starmer and Macron signalled closer work with the United States on the nature of the security to be offered to Ukraine, saying that “planning teams” from coalition members would meet with their US counterparts in the coming days.

While Macron has backed calls from Zelensky for a ceasefire before any negotiations with Putin, Trump is pressing ahead with the idea of a peace deal to be agreed while the hostilities continue.

Trump wants Zelensky to accept the loss of territory to Russia, give up the idea of reclaiming Crimea, and drop the long-held ambition for Ukraine to join the NATO security pact with major European powers, the US and Canada.

Putin, as part of any potential deal to pull his forces out of Ukraine, is looking for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.

Trump said on Tuesday he was confident the meeting with Zelensky and Putin would take place.

“I think Putin is tired of it,” Trump said. “I think they’re all tired of it. But you never know, we’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. That I can tell you.”

Late on Tuesday AEST, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, the top foreign affairs official, held an online meeting with member states to discuss imposing more sanctions on Russia.

“Putin cannot be trusted to honour any promise or commitment,” she said.

“Therefore, security guarantees must be strong and credible enough to deter Russia from regrouping and re-attacking.

“The EU will contribute to these security guarantees, notably by the training of Ukrainian soldiers and strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces and defence industry.

“The EU will also continue targeting Russia’s war economy. The next sanctions package against Moscow should be ready by next month.”

With AP and Reuters

Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.