U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated Washington’s commitment to standing by Ukraine in its war with Russia, but he admitted that the issue of providing specific security guarantees has not yet been settled. According to Trump, the question of what kind of binding security assurances the U.S. or its allies could extend to Ukraine remains one of the most difficult barriers to achieving peace. Without such guarantees, Kyiv fears future aggression even if the current conflict is brought to an end.
Trump also disclosed that during his August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, discussions went beyond the Ukraine war. Both leaders considered the possibility of reducing their vast nuclear arsenals once hostilities in Ukraine are resolved. Trump stressed that nuclear weapons represent “too much power” and expressed a desire for eventual denuclearization, but he made clear that progress on this front is linked to ending the war first.
When pressed by reporters about why Putin refuses to engage directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump gave a blunt response, saying it is simply because Putin “doesn’t like him.” This remark highlights the deep personal and political animosity between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, which further complicates diplomatic efforts for negotiations.
In essence, Trump’s comments underscore three key points: the U.S. remains supportive of Ukraine, concrete security arrangements are still unresolved, and broader U.S.-Russia discussions—including nuclear disarmament—hinge on finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict.