Trump Excludes Sending US Troops into Ukraine, Promises Air Support

US President Trump, after meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Tuesday, August 19, stated on the issue of Ukraine's security that the US would not send ground troops to Ukraine, but might provide air support under the framework of an agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war. NATO will hold a video conference of chiefs of staff on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine's security issues.

Reuters, AFP reports: One day after a special summit held at the White House and a commitment to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, the prospects for peace in Ukraine remain uncertain. The US and its allies are preparing to discuss the forms of military support that Ukraine may receive.

On Tuesday, Trump told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, "Regarding security issues, (Europeans) are willing to send people into (Ukraine). We are willing to help, especially, possibly... through air power." But he did not elaborate further.

Just after the summit on Monday, Russia launched the largest aerial attack on Ukraine in over a month. Trump also admitted that Russian President Putin may ultimately have no intention of reaching an agreement. Trump said, "In the coming weeks, we will see Putin's stance."

The nature of the military aid that the US may provide under the peace agreement is unclear. The so-called air support could cover various forms, including missile defense systems, or missions by fighter jets to enforce a no-fly zone.

White House Press Secretary Levitt confirmed on Tuesday that the US had indeed considered air support as "an option and possibility," but without providing details. She said at a press conference, "The President has clearly stated that US troops will not set foot on Ukrainian territory, but we can certainly provide assistance in coordination and other forms of security guarantees, especially for our European allies."

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called the White House talks "an important step forward," helping to end the deadliest conflict in Europe in 80 years, and paving the way for future trilateral meetings with Putin and Trump in the coming weeks.

Analysts point out that since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the conflict has caused over one million casualties.

Russian Attacks Continue

Although the White House talks brought temporary hope for Ukraine, the war has not stopped. The Ukrainian Air Force said on Tuesday that Russia launched the largest attack on Ukraine this month, sending 270 drones and firing 10 missiles. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy said that Russian attacks targeted energy facilities in the central Kirovohrad region, which houses Ukraine's only oil refinery, causing a fire.

Ukrainian officials also said that Russia returned 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers on the same day, in exchange for 19 bodies of its own soldiers.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's allies held a meeting in the form of a "voluntary alliance" to discuss additional sanctions against Russia and agreed to work together with US teams in the coming days to study security details. NATO military leaders will also meet on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine issues, with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine participating via video.

Zelenskyy said on social media, "We are actively advancing specific plans with all members of the voluntary alliance, especially with the United States, to study the architecture of security guarantees."

Although Trump claimed on Monday that Putin proposed a meeting with Zelenskyy, the Kremlin did not make a clear commitment. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow does not rule out any form of peace negotiations, but any meeting between heads of state "must be thoroughly prepared."

Putin emphasized that Russia will never accept NATO troops entering Ukraine. After his meeting with Trump in Alaska last week, he also did not show any retreat on territorial demands, including some areas that are not currently under Russian control.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840923042681162/

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