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

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Summary

• Zelenskiy hails summit with Trump as a step towards peace
• Russia launches largest attack this month amid peace moves
• Uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine

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...

[Spktyr]

GPS is not the only global positioning satellite constellation up there any more. Shutting off GPS doesn’t have a huge effect per se on combat, the more so since Russia has their own, called GLONASS.

[Spktyr]

The other alternative is that we give the Euros the task of enforcing such a no-fly zone deal this time.

[Psalm 73]

I don't want any American military personnel anywhere near Ukraine. And certainly don't want American fighters patrolling Uke airspace.

Europe has plenty of aircraft for support, and they're already right there, in Europe....

[ealgeone]

Mr President....no. No US involvement in ukraine.

[adorno]

Good old adorno.

I'm good, but who you calling old?

But, it's always being older than young(er) and clueless and dumb.

We can count on you.

And don't you forget it. But, can anybody count on you? Definitely not!

Always good for some more warmongering

The 'warmongering' has been happening in Ukraine, every since YOUR Putin decided to invade. Putin the warmongerer and his supporting warmongerers, like YOU.

Supporting Putin makes for bigger warmongering. Warmongerer!

and chickenhawking.

What does chicehawking look like or feels like? You brought it up, so I'm gathering you're an expert at it.

You are so clueless.

The American Air Force is already there, and recently, Trump sent a squadron of F-22s to Poland. And our planes are at the ready for any violations of a truce or violations of a ceasefire.

BTW, did you bother to read the headline for the above article? Since you apparently couldn't be bothered to read it, I've made it easy for you to find/read:

Trump says no ground troops, but maybe air support, to back Ukraine peace deal.

What the heck do you believe 'air support' means?

Whose air force and whose stealth trroops?

If NATO's air force, it means our air force too. Are you aware that the U.S. is also a member of NATO?

Also, when it comes to troops, it would be mostly non-US/NATO troops, but don't count us out, since we have the most capable troops in the world, and we have the best stealth troops around. Ever hears of the Navy Seals, or of the special forces troops, or of the Recon Marines?

Get informed, dope!

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Um, there's really no way to have air support without "ground troops"

US drones and aircraft can be based in neighboring countries, without, literally, having boots on the ground in Ukraine.

[VastRWCon]

No troops just drones that’s all.

[adorno]

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

American aircraft are the most used by NATO. And if NATO is going to be doing the peacekeeping, that includes Americans. And if Russia violates any peace deals, they would have invited NATO to intervene.

But, the peace deal will deal with violations in Ukraine, not Russia itself. But, if the Russians do send any missiles or aircraft into Ukraine, they will have invited the allies to take care of those Russian targets.

If my neighbor shoots at me through my windows, will I not be allowed to shoot back at my neighbor?

Odds are not bad this would generate US POWs held in Russian POW camps.

Russia has already held Americans, and for what? Suspicion of spying? But, it works both ways: Russians can hold ally troops and the allies can hold Russian troops. Chances are that a lot more Russians will be POWs than NATO troops.

And for what?

To stop the biggest warmonger in the world. Duh!

[DownInFlames]

NO, NO, NO! What happens when one gets shot down?

[BenLurkin]

Ungh

[minnesota_bound]

NO! to US air support!!
I hope Trump is not serious.

[xkaydet65]

Trump has done wonders in trying to end this conflict but can he take a position and stick to it and not come out 24 hrs later on the other side. He’s not negotiating with Manhattan Community Bd 6 or the NYC Building Trades. If he feels being flexible is important then dont do it publicly on social media.

[lonestar67]

Peepers are much relieved.

[Spktyr]

And that’s an option, as I noted - if the Euros are supposedly so interested in this sort of peace, as they claim, then they should shoulder the burden.

They’d have to base out of Poland or Germany, though.

[McGruff]

Maybe Trump wants to use his Big Beautiful B2 Bombers there.

[Owen]

Okie doke, so this will be American pilots flying American planes attacking Russian territory, with no indication that the Russians are attacking US territory.

All it would take is a Gallup survey or two to end that.

[adorno]

Okie doke, so this will be American pilots flying American planes attacking Russian territory, with no indication that the Russians are attacking US territory.

No need to go into Russian territory, since the attacks by Russia of Ukraine can be stopped from outside Russian territory. Once a Russian plane or missile or drone is detected, it can be destroyed mid-air, by U.S. or NATO planes, or NATO/U.S. missiles.

Also remember that, Trump is seeking a settlement, and with that, a deal for minerals, which would require American troops to secure the ground where Americans and Ukrainians and even EU workers would be stationed. IN a sense, that would be American/EU forces and if attacked, they would have the right to strike back at the sites from where the attacks originated. A

ll it would take is a Gallup survey or two to end that.

Yeah, that's exactly how all decisions are made around the world, with polls and elections to decide the end of wars or even the beginning of invasions. Surveys and polls and elections are also used to decide what territories belong to which nation, and which should be taken by force.

I like your idea.

[Owen]

No need to go into Russian territory, since the attacks by Russia of Ukraine can be stopped from outside Russian territory. Once a Russian plane or missile or drone is detected, it can be destroyed mid-air, by U.S. or NATO planes, or NATO/U.S. missiles.

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Have to be more explicit. US planes flown by US pilots will or will not shoot missiles, regardless of where the plane is, into Russian territory.

And what is Russian territory.

[9YearLurker]

Agree totally.

[9YearLurker]

Why drones? What are we doing? Not our war.