Trump rules out U.S. troops in Ukraine, says help could come by air

Trump rules out U.S. troops in Ukraine, suggests help by air

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, that the United States would not send troops to help defend Ukraine, as his administration discusses security guarantees for Kyiv as part of efforts to end Russia’s war. Asked on “Fox & Friends” what assurance he could give that U.S. troops would not be used to defend Ukraine’s border, including after his term, Trump said: “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.”

Trump said European countries were willing to put people on the ground and that the U.S. was ready to help them, “probably by air,” adding that no one has the kind of equipment the U.S. has. He did not say whether that would mean air-defense systems, surveillance, or other forms of support.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the same day, regarding any peacekeeping mission, that “U.S. boots will not be on the ground.”

Context: the White House meetings

The comments came a day after Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House for hours of talks on ending the war. During those meetings, Trump had not ruled out U.S. participation in a European-led effort to provide security guarantees, which Zelenskyy has sought to prevent future Russian attacks.

In the Fox interview, Trump also described Ukraine joining NATO and recovering Crimea as impossible, according to the Associated Press.

What “help by air” could mean

Trump did not define what air support would include. Analysts have pointed to several options that would not require U.S. pilots flying over Ukraine, such as additional air-defense systems like Patriot or NASAMS batteries, counter-drone technology, surveillance aircraft operating outside Ukrainian airspace, and intelligence sharing. The administration has not said which, if any, of these are under consideration.

The limits of U.S. involvement

Successive U.S. administrations have tried to support Ukraine while limiting the risk of direct confrontation between the United States and Russia. A no-troops pledge rules out U.S. units deployed on Ukrainian soil, but it does not exclude weapons supplies, training outside Ukraine, or intelligence support.

Ukraine’s priorities

Ukrainian officials have said any agreement must include strong security guarantees so that a pause in fighting cannot be used by Russia to regroup. Kyiv has repeatedly asked for more air-defense systems to protect cities and energy infrastructure from Russian drone and missile strikes.

Europe’s role

European leaders have discussed a so-called coalition of the willing that could provide forces or other support for Ukraine after a ceasefire. Trump’s comments suggested the U.S. role would be supporting rather than leading on the ground, with details of any guarantees still being negotiated.

What security guarantees might include

Officials and analysts have described possible guarantees as a combination of commitments rather than a single treaty, potentially including air defense, financing, training and arrangements to monitor any ceasefire. None of these elements had been finalized at the time of Trump’s remarks.

The domestic message

The no-troops pledge is also aimed at U.S. voters wary of another long overseas conflict. Supporters of continued aid argue that helping Ukraine defend itself is cheaper than a wider war later, while critics question the costs. Congress will play a role in any future funding decisions.

What to watch next

Key questions include whether the administration clarifies what air support would involve, how European countries divide responsibilities for any guarantees, and whether talks lead to a meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.