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Trump says no ground troops, but maybe air support, to back Ukraine peace deal
Reuters ^ | August 19, 20253:27 PM CDT | Andrea Shalal, Tom Balmforth and Anastasiia Malenko

Posted on 08/19/2025 1:37:19 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Summary

WASHINGTON/LONDON/KYIV, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States would not put troops on the ground in Ukraine but might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia's war in the country.

A day after Trump pledged security guarantees to help end the war at an extraordinary White House summit, the path to peace remained uncertain as the U.S. and allies prepared to work out what military support for Ukraine might include.

"When it comes to security, (Europeans) are willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, ... by air," Trump said in an interview with the Fox News "Fox & Friends" program. He did not elaborate.

Following Monday's meeting, Russia launched its biggest air assault in more than a month on Ukraine, and Trump conceded that Russian President Vladimir Putin might not want to make a deal after all. "We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks," he said.

The nature of U.S. military aid for Ukraine under a peace deal was unclear. Air support could take many forms such as missile defense systems or fighter jets enforcing a no-fly zone.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed U.S. air support was "an option and a possibility," but like Trump did not provide any details.

"The President has definitively stated U.S. boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine, but we can certainly help in the coordination and perhaps provide other means of security...

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 08/19/2025 1:37:19 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This may be the only way forward and out of this war as it now exists.


2 posted on 08/19/2025 1:44:09 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

And how much good is air support when the war is missiles, fabs, and …drones by the thousands

Most of the Russian air attacks are launched from outside of Ukraine


3 posted on 08/19/2025 1:54:16 PM PDT by silverleaf (M:“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out” —David Horowitz)
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To: All

The most devastating blow to the Euros was Trump making very clear that a ceasefire is not a priority, that he had ended other wars without one.

The Euros have leaned very heavily on the concept of unconditional ceasefire for most of this year. It would be the way to buy time to manufacture weapons to be given to Zelensky.

This conceptual dependence on it likely derives from the media and PR nature of everything out of Europe this year for Ukraine. Demanding a ceasefire that Moscow refused put them in a much more favorable media light.

Russia didn’t care. They don’t watch western media as an influence on what is in their best interests.

Regardless, Trump took it off the table now, and it was the centerpiece of the Euro plan for victory.


4 posted on 08/19/2025 1:56:34 PM PDT by Owen
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Um, there's really no way to have air support without "ground troops", there has to be some type of ground support for air assets.

Too far for carrier-based aircraft.

Why don't we let the Europeans take the lead on this.

Some Italian air assets, a British armor battalion and French infantry units. And some nice Danish pastries....

5 posted on 08/19/2025 1:57:58 PM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
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To: silverleaf

Drones are air support


6 posted on 08/19/2025 1:59:09 PM PDT by Az Joe (Live free or die)
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To: silverleaf
Most of the Russian air attacks are launched from outside of Ukraine

Those launch-sites can be destroyed by air-power and drones and missiles, and ever 'stealth' troops.
7 posted on 08/19/2025 2:01:05 PM PDT by adorno ( )
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To: Owen
The most devastating blow to the Euros was Trump making very clear that a ceasefire is not a priority, that he had ended other wars without one.

Not devastating at all. The Euros understand that Russia (and Putin) are not run-of-the-mill powers, which can be so easily dealt with.

' Putin will not accept a deal which doesn't give him what he wants. It's no puny-country vs tiny-country; it's Russia!
8 posted on 08/19/2025 2:05:19 PM PDT by adorno ( )
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To: adorno

Most of the Russian air attacks are launched from outside of Ukraine

Those launch-sites can be destroyed by air-power and drones and missiles, and ever ‘stealth’ troops.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////

American aircraft with American pilots attacking Russian territory? How does the US benefit from this?

Odds are not bad this would generate US POWs held in Russian POW camps. And for what?


9 posted on 08/19/2025 2:06:06 PM PDT by Owen
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Bots. Those are the future of warfare.


10 posted on 08/19/2025 2:08:12 PM PDT by rfp1234 (E Porcibus Unum)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Fail.

Not a problem in which the USA should be entangled.
Arbitrator for peace is fine. US Military interaction, or intervention in any manner, is utter foolishness.

The blood of our children is not to be risked in this regional matter, in any manner.

“Foriegn entanglements”


11 posted on 08/19/2025 2:08:59 PM PDT by Z28.310 (does not comply well with others)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

It would irresponsible to get involved directly in this war.


12 posted on 08/19/2025 2:13:34 PM PDT by Kazan
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I sure hope he’s talking about maybe airlift support, and not maybe CAP.

If for no other reason than the assets are best positioned in the Pacific where our real interests are.


13 posted on 08/19/2025 2:18:49 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

My guess is he’s talking about satellite GPS support for their drones and cruise missiles.

They are pretty much useless without it.


14 posted on 08/19/2025 2:20:47 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of racism, anger, hate and violence.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Or we could tell the Europeans it’s your problem.


15 posted on 08/19/2025 2:21:14 PM PDT by McGruff
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If it gets our guys some good drone training without us directly getting into anything with the Russians, ok, but the Euros won’t leave it at that. They’ll try to drag us into it like they did with Serbia. It’s Europe’s problem and war, not ours.


16 posted on 08/19/2025 2:23:20 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: adorno

“Those launch-sites can be destroyed by air-power and drones and missiles, and ever ‘stealth’ troops.”

Good old adorno. We can count on you. Always good for some more warmongering and chickenhawking. Whose air force and whose stealth trroops?


17 posted on 08/19/2025 2:30:01 PM PDT by rxh4n1
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

US should provide unlimited amounts of Gatoraide.


18 posted on 08/19/2025 2:36:06 PM PDT by Mashood
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

No. Russians strafe one of ours it escalates, no


19 posted on 08/19/2025 2:39:34 PM PDT by Karliner (Heb 4:12 Rom 8:28 Rev 3, "...This is the end of the beginning." Churchill)
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To: Psalm 73

Uh, no it isn’t. Poland is right next door to Ukraine and has already said they’d be happy to host us in such an event.


20 posted on 08/19/2025 2:57:40 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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