U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed potential American air support as part of a negotiated settlement to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while ruling out ground troop deployment. The announcement comes amid intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and ongoing discussions about security guarantees for Kyiv.
Diplomatic Maneuvers
Following Monday's White House summit where Trump pledged security assurances to Ukraine, details remain scarce about how U.S. military aid might shape peace efforts. "We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably… by air," Trump told Fox News, without specifying whether this meant missile defense systems or no-fly zone enforcement.
Escalation on the Ground
The proposal follows Russia's largest aerial assault in over a month, with Ukrainian officials reporting 270 drones and 10 missiles targeting energy facilities in Poltava region. The strikes disrupted operations at Ukraine's sole oil refinery, underscoring the conflict's economic toll.
Summit Speculation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described recent talks as a "major step forward," with discussions ongoing about potential trilateral negotiations involving Russian President Vladimir Putin. Budapest and Istanbul have emerged as possible venues, though Trump suggested leaders might meet without U.S. mediation.
International Coordination
As NATO military leaders prepare to discuss Ukraine strategy, the U.S.-led Coalition of the Willing agreed to develop concrete security guarantees for Kyiv. The moves come amid Putin's repeated warnings against NATO troop deployments in Ukraine.
