‘No NATO but we’ll still protect Ukraine’ – Trump
Ukraine will not join the NATO military bloc but will receive protection from Washington, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday.
Speaking at the White House with Vladimir Zelensky ahead of meetings with the Ukrainian leader and his Western European backers, Trump said: “No NATO but we’ll protect them.”
Trump was asked if security guarantees for Kiev could involve US troops. “We’ll let you know that maybe later today, we’re meeting with the leaders of seven great countries. There will be a lot of help. Europe is the first line of defense because they are there, but we’re going to help, we’ll be involved.”
Kiev has made joining NATO a central pillar of its response to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Despite multiple pledges from NATO state leaders, no invitation was issued.
Asked about sending peacekeepers, Trump said: “We’re gonna work with Ukraine, we’re gonna work with everybody” to make sure the peace is “very long term.”
Zelensky and Western European leaders are meeting with Trump and his team at the White House, days after Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday, which both sides described as “warm” and “constructive.”
