US to Play “Backup” Role in Ukraine Security, Trump Reveals

President Donald Trump has defined the United States’ future role in Ukrainian security as one of “backup,” signaling a policy where European allies would take the lead. This clarification came after a direct phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The conversation with the Russian leader was strategically timed, occurring shortly after Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials in Washington on August 18. The White House meetings were focused on charting a path forward for Ukraine’s stability.
According to Trump, the specifics of the security arrangements have not been solidified. However, he emphasized his expectation that Europe would shoulder the primary responsibility for the guarantees. “They should, because they are right there,” he remarked to reporters, highlighting the geographical proximity of European nations to the conflict.
In a further revelation, Trump mentioned a face-to-face meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. A key topic during that discussion was the potential for mutual reductions in their nuclear arsenals, a step that would be contingent on the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.