Military planners in the United States and Europe have begun evaluating long-term security options for Ukraine once the war with Russia ends—an effort triggered in part by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to support Kyiv in a post-war scenario.
According to U.S. officials speaking to Reuters, the Pentagon is currently reviewing what forms of assistance—beyond weapons shipments—Washington might provide to Ukraine in the future.
Officials noted that defining military measures that are both feasible and acceptable to Russia will take time. Among the options under discussion is the deployment of European troops inside Ukraine, under U.S. command and oversight.
However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has declared that the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine as part of any security guarantee tied to a peace deal is “unacceptable.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on Tuesday that U.S. troops will not be deployed to Ukraine under this framework. Trump, while leaving the door open to military involvement, also ruled out sending American ground forces. Instead, he suggested that Washington could provide aerial support if European allies commit troops.
“When it comes to security,” Trump said, “the Europeans are willing to put boots on the ground. We’re ready to help—especially, perhaps, through the air. Because no one has what we have. They really don’t.”
NATO military commanders are set to meet virtually today (Wednesday) to discuss the future trajectory of the Ukraine conflict.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has sent billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv. However, during Trump’s previous administration and again last month, the delivery of such assistance was temporarily halted—most notably after a controversial meeting with President Zelensky. That aid flow has since resumed.
