Trump calls minerals deal a 'backstop' of Ukraine's security
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump considers the minerals deal with Ukraine to be a “backstop” for Ukraine's security, The Guardian reports.
"President Zelenskyy is coming to see me on Friday morning. And we’re going be signing really a very important agreement for both sides because it’s really going to get us into that country, working there," Trump said.
He added that such a document is "a backstop, you could say".
The Guardian notes that Trump probably used the word “backstop” because European officials usually use this word to describe the guarantees they want to receive from the United States to back up their possible contingent in Ukraine.
Security guarantees from Europe
US officials have repeatedly stated that they want Europe to take responsibility for providing security guarantees for Ukraine. As a result, European leaders have begun discussing the possibility of sending their troops to Ukraine.
Western media have reported that Europe's plan includes deploying up to 30,000 soldiers in Ukraine. These troops would not be stationed on the front lines but rather in several Ukrainian cities.
At the same time, European countries expect US involvement in this plan, specifically by deploying American air defense forces in Ukraine's neighboring countries.
Notably, just yesterday, on February 26, US President Donald Trump stated that he won't provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
