Trump Hints at U.S. Air Support for Ukraine Peace Agreement

Washington/Kyiv/London — August 19, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out deploying American ground troops to Ukraine but said Washington may consider providing air support as part of a potential peace settlement to end the ongoing war with Russia.

Speaking a day after hosting an extraordinary White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump confirmed that the U.S. and its allies are still working out what military assistance under a peace framework could look like.

“When it comes to security, Europeans are willing to send troops. We’ll assist in other ways — most likely from the air,” Trump said during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

The U.S. leader did not give further details but later described his negotiation style as being “guided more by instinct than process.”

Russia Strikes Back Amid Peace Push

Just hours after the Washington talks, Russia carried out its heaviest aerial assault in over a month, launching 270 drones and 10 missiles across Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s air force. The attacks caused major fires at energy facilities in the Poltava region, which hosts Ukraine’s only oil refinery.

Trump acknowledged the uncertainty ahead, noting, “We’ll soon find out whether President Putin is actually ready to make a deal.”

What U.S. Military Support Could Mean

While no specifics have been finalized, possible American air support could include:

• Missile defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities

• Fighter jets enforcing a no-fly zone

• Intelligence and surveillance support

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that air support is “on the table”, but reiterated Trump’s stance that U.S. boots will not be deployed on Ukrainian soil.

Zelenskiy Sees “Step Toward Peace”

President Zelenskiy praised the White House summit as a “major step forward” toward ending the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II. He also revealed that preparations are underway for a possible three-way summit involving himself, Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Potential venues being discussed include Budapest, where Trump consulted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Istanbul, which has previously hosted negotiations. Neutral Switzerland has also offered to host.

Trump suggested that a direct Zelenskiy-Putin meeting might be best without his presence, although he left the door open: “If necessary, I’ll go.”

Allies and Analysts React

• NATO commanders are set to meet this week to draft options for Ukrainian security guarantees.

• Ukraine’s Western partners, in the “Coalition of the Willing,” are weighing new sanctions on Moscow.

• Analysts warn that Moscow may drag out peace negotiations to buy time while continuing to press territorial demands.

Neil Melvin of the Royal United Services Institute said both sides are cautious not to appear as obstacles to Trump’s peace push: “They’re all tiptoeing around Trump. His promises on security guarantees are so vague, it’s difficult to judge them seriously.”

Key Takeaway

While Trump’s proposed peace initiative has injected new momentum into stalled negotiations, the situation remains highly volatile. With Russia intensifying its attacks and questions over Putin’s willingness to compromise, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy or escalation shapes the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.