Trump has eliminated Ukrainian US troops and opened air support options
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said President Trump has removed boots on Ukraine’s ground in order to maintain peace.
President Donald Trump praised Ukraine’s “court people” and “unbreakable spirit” and became Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky as the relationship between the two leaders is rattling and Trump is calling for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“When marking this important day, I know that the United States respects your battle, respects your sacrifices and believes in your future as an independent nation,” Trump wrote in a letter congratulating Ukraine’s independence holiday to Zelensky.
“The United States supports a negotiated reconciliation that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends and protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity,” Trump said.
In his post, Zelensky thanked Trump for writing and for being “standing shoulders with Ukraine.”
The letter came less than a week after Trump met Zelensky and other European leaders at the White House on August 18 amid tensions negotiating to end Russia’s longstanding invasion.
The security assurances we support in some kind of Ukraine are on the table after the meeting, but it is not clear how such an agreement will be formed. Trump initially said the US would be “involved” in peacekeeping forces that could be led by European allies, but later he gave us a “guarantee” that we wouldn’t put our boots on the ground.
The meeting was in stark contrast to the pair’s explosive February conversation at the White House. This began with a jab from Trump over Zelensky’s unofficial attire, and ended with the US President sending early packaging for his counterparts.
This time Zelensky was wearing a suit. And Vice President JD Vance, who usurped the Ukrainian leader at the first meeting for not saying “thank you” for our assistance, remained silent.
The oval office conversation came just four days after Trump met Putin at the passionate summit in Alaska. The president argues that he is currently seeking a long-term peace deal, but the meeting did not file a ceasefire agreement, but has given criticism in Washington.
“It’s up to President Zelensky to get it done now,” Trump told Fox News in an interview after the summit.
