Trump floats air support for Ukraine as part of security guarantees

President Trump is floating providing U.S. pilots and warplanes as part of security guarantees for post-war Ukraine as he pushes for an end to Russia’s war against the country.

Trump has said the U.S. will help Europe craft security guarantees for Ukraine to backstop any peace deal reached with Russia, in lieu of Ukraine joining NATO, a red line for Russia.

“When it comes to security, they are willing to put people on the ground,” Trump said in an interview won “Fox & Friends” Tuesday morning, referring to Europe. “We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump has tasked his national security team to “come up with a framework for these security guarantees that can be acceptable to help ensure a lasting peace and end this war.”

“I won’t, certainly, rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal, I’ll let him do that,” she said, adding the president has “definitively” ruled out boots on the ground. 

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday said Trump’s willingness to involve the U.S. in security guarantees for Ukraine was a “breakthrough” in the peace process, though details on America’s potential role remain scarce.

Trump’s floating the possibility for air support could mean American pilots engaged in defensive operations, guarding against Russian missiles, or simply providing support for other aircraft — such as air-to-air refueling or for transportation of military equipment. 

Defensive operations could risk a confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, a scenario that both Trump and former President Biden before him have been anxious to avoid.

Biden turned down Ukraine’s requests for no-fly zone following Russia’s invasion over concerns it could escalate the conflict and lead to a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.

Updated at 4:32 p.m. EDT