Zelensky 'defies Trump' with US troops in Ukraine demand as peace talks on brink

Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States will not deploy troops to Ukraine. Yet fresh comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggest that this position may be far less settled than Trump publicly claims.

According to reports, Zelensky told journalists in a WhatsApp media chat that Kyiv is actively discussing the possible presence of U.S. troops in Ukraine with President Trump as part of a broader peace framework with Russia. If accurate, this directly contradicts Trump’s earlier statements ruling out “boots on the ground” and raises serious questions about the coherence of his foreign policy messaging.

Trump has previously argued that the U.S. role should be limited to air support and indirect security assistance, while repeatedly dismissing Ukraine’s hopes of NATO membership as a long-term security guarantee. At the same time, he has portrayed both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “good people” who supposedly want to end the war language that critics say dangerously oversimplifies Russia’s illegal invasion and war crimes.

In one notable remark, Trump suggested that European nations are more willing to send ground forces because the war is geographically closer to them, saying the conflict is different for the U.S. since “we have an ocean separating us.” This framing has drawn criticism for minimizing America’s responsibility in defending democratic allies and maintaining global stability.

Despite Trump’s public resistance to U.S. troop deployment, European involvement remains very much on the table. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently joined a virtual meeting with more than 30 international leaders to discuss increasing pressure on Russia, including tighter sanctions, until Vladimir Putin demonstrates a genuine willingness to end his illegal war against Ukraine.

Tensions have further escalated following Russian claims that Ukraine attacked one of Putin’s presidential palaces an allegation Kyiv has firmly denied. Trump responded by saying he was “very angry” about the reports and claimed it was “not the right time” for such actions, a reaction that once again appeared to echo Kremlin talking points rather than clearly support Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

Meanwhile, Trump has shifted part of his focus to the Middle East, hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and Israel’s regional strategy. The overlapping crises highlight a broader concern: Trump’s foreign policy often appears reactive, inconsistent, and driven more by personal instincts than by a clear commitment to democratic values or international law.

For many observers, Zelensky’s comments underline a deeper issue. If Trump is privately discussing options he publicly denies, it raises doubts about his credibility with allies and reinforces fears that his approach to global security lacks transparency, consistency, and accountability.