Trump hints at US readiness to defend Ukraine - but with an important condition
President Donald Trump has for the first time publicly made it clear that he allows the United States to participate in the future defence of Ukraine, albeit in a limited role. This is reported by The New York Times with reference to an interview with Trump published on 8 January.
According to the newspaper, when asked whether he was ready to support Ukraine in the event of a new Russian invasion after a possible ceasefire, Trump said he would agree to such a commitment only if he was confident that the Kremlin would not violate the agreements. According to him, he is «convinced» that Russia will not try to attack again.
At the same time, the US president stressed that European allies should play a key role in guaranteeing security for Ukraine, and Washington will join them if necessary. This position was voiced against the backdrop of negotiations on a possible end to the war, in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on clear and reliable security guarantees from the West.
The article notes that Trump's statements indicate a certain softening of his rhetoric on Ukraine, but at the same time demonstrate his confidence in Vladimir Putin's statements about his readiness for peace. Trump himself acknowledged that the negotiation process remains difficult and refused to name a specific timeframe for ending the war, emphasising that his main goal is to save lives.
