Washington signals shift in strategy
President Donald Trump said the United States will not deploy ground troops in Ukraine but could provide air support as part of a broader peace arrangement. Speaking to Fox News, Trump emphasized that Washington may assist with security guarantees through the air, though details remain unclear.
The statement came a day after Trump pledged security commitments during a high-profile White House summit aimed at ending Russia’s war. However, prospects for peace remain uncertain as Moscow launched its largest aerial assault in more than a month immediately following the meeting.
Unclear path to peace
Trump acknowledged that President Vladimir Putin might resist a deal, stating that the coming weeks will determine Russia’s stance. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the White House talks as a breakthrough, the Kremlin has not committed to new negotiations. Moscow has warned it will not accept NATO troops in Ukraine and continues to demand territorial concessions.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that air support was “an option and a possibility,” but avoided specifics. Analysts caution that Trump’s vague promises make it difficult to evaluate Washington’s actual commitments.
Escalation on the ground
Russia fired 270 drones and 10 missiles in an overnight attack, causing major fires at energy facilities in Poltava. Ukrainian officials reported receiving the remains of 1,000 soldiers in an exchange with Moscow, which recovered 19 bodies of its own troops. The scale of the conflict remains devastating, with over one million people killed or wounded since the invasion began in February 2022.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies in the “Coalition of the Willing” discussed further sanctions and security guarantees, with NATO commanders preparing to meet virtually to address the conflict’s next phase.
Diplomacy under pressure
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia does not reject any negotiation format but insisted any summit must be carefully prepared. Analysts warn Moscow could prolong peace talks to reduce U.S. pressure while pursuing its military objectives. Both Kyiv and European allies are careful to avoid appearing as obstacles to Trump’s peace drive.
“They’re all tiptoeing around Trump,” said Neil Melvin of the Royal United Services Institute, noting that the President’s broad and undefined promises make the diplomatic outlook highly uncertain.
