US President Trump does not oppose idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is not opposed to the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. However, he emphasized that there will be no American troops in Ukraine, according to a White House broadcast and CNN.
During his speech, a media representative asked US President Donald Trump whether he supports the idea of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine. Trump responded positively.
"If they want to do that, that’s great. I’m all for it. If they want to do that, I think that’s, that’d be fine. I know France has mentioned it, others have mentioned it, UK has mentioned it. If we have a peace deal. I think, from a European standpoint, we won't have to put any troops over there. If they want to do that, that’s great. I’m all for it," the US president stated.
However, he emphasized that the US would not deploy its troops in Ukraine.
"We won't have to put any troops over there. I would not object to it at all. We're talking about this now peace we have either a ceasefire or a peace itself and we're looking to do both would start off with the ceasefire and if they want to do that... I know France was willing to do that and I thought that was a beautiful gesture, yeah, please," Trump said.
When asked whether he was considering withdrawing all US troops from Europe as part of a peace deal with Russia, Trump replied that such a question was never raised.
CNN, clarifying the translation, reported that according to Trump, no one has asked him to withdraw all US forces from Europe in the event of a peace agreement.
The US president added that he didn't think they would have to do that.
Summit in Paris
On Monday, February 17, an "emergency summit" took place in Paris, the capital of France, with European leaders and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in attendance. The participants discussed further support for Ukraine.
Yesterday, February 18, reports emerged that France intends to hold another summit on Ukraine and European security. According to Reuters sources, the summit is scheduled for today and will include countries that did not participate in Monday’s meeting.
Among the invited nations are Norway, Canada, the Baltic states, the Czechia, Greece, Finland, Romania, Sweden, and Belgium. Some additional countries may join via video conference.
