WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said this week he would not deploy American troops to Ukraine, instead pushing for direct peace negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at a campaign event in Arizona on Tuesday, Trump declared that “not a single American soldier will be sent to fight in Ukraine,” positioning himself in sharp contrast to President Joe Biden’s continued military and financial support for Kyiv. Trump instead floated the idea of hosting a high-level summit that would bring Zelenskyy and Putin together in a neutral location, which he said could pave the way for “the fastest peace deal the world has ever seen.”
The comments reflect Trump’s longstanding skepticism of U.S. involvement in Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, the Biden administration and NATO allies have delivered tens of billions of dollars in weapons and aid to Ukraine, while stressing that no American combat troops will be deployed on the ground. Trump, however, argues that continued assistance risks entangling the U.S. in “endless wars abroad” and diverts resources from domestic priorities.
Political implications
The proposal has quickly drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime Trump ally but a vocal supporter of Ukraine, said that “any peace deal must be on Ukraine’s terms, not dictated by Moscow.” Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, accused Trump of “undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty” and signaling weakness to the Kremlin.
Analysts say Trump’s approach mirrors his “America First” foreign policy doctrine, which emphasizes diplomacy and reduced U.S. military commitments overseas. “Trump is attempting to position himself as the peace candidate while tapping into public fatigue with foreign wars,” said Fiona Hill, a former National Security Council Russia adviser.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that while a majority of Americans still support aiding Ukraine, support has declined since the early months of the war. Roughly 45% now say the U.S. is spending “too much” on Ukraine, reflecting growing partisan divides.
Zelenskyy and Putin’s responses
Neither Kyiv nor Moscow has directly responded to Trump’s suggestion of a summit. Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine will not negotiate until Russian forces withdraw from occupied territories, including Crimea. Putin, by contrast, has expressed openness to talks in principle but has maintained demands that Ukraine recognize Russia’s control over annexed regions — a condition Kyiv has firmly rejected.
Looking ahead
Trump’s proposal for a Zelenskyy–Putin summit reflects his broader strategy of portraying himself as a dealmaker capable of ending global conflicts where traditional diplomacy has struggled.
“Trump is tapping into something very real,” said Michael O’Hanlon, a defense analyst at the Brookings Institution. “Many Americans want to see an end to this war. The question is whether the kind of deal Trump envisions is realistic — or simply wishful thinking.”