Trump won't put US troops on ground in Ukraine despite promises of security

Trump's engagement with Zelenskyy had a strikingly different feel to their last Oval Office meeting in February.

Transcript

00:00This morning, President Trump pushing for peace talks to end the war as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.

00:08Overnight, President Trump confirming the next round of talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky will likely happen without him.

00:15But Russia still hasn't confirmed whether or not Putin is on board.

00:19Russian officials now saying any face-to-face between Putin and Zelensky must be, quote, prepared with the utmost care.

00:26Critics accusing Russia of delaying the talks on purpose.

00:28What the Russians do and have done over and over and over is stall.

00:34And it allows their military to continue to bash, batter, bombard the Ukrainians, which they've done.

00:41Meanwhile, President Trump is now clarifying plans to defend Ukraine from any new attacks,

00:46telling Fox the U.S. will not put any troops on the ground, but saying the U.S. could help with air support from the skies.

00:53What kind of assurances do you feel like you have that going forward and, you know, past this Trump administration,

01:02it won't be American boots on the ground defending that border?

01:07Well, you have my assurance. You're not president.

01:09During his visit to the White House this week,

01:12Zelensky and European leaders were adamant that a path to long-term peace must include security guarantees.

01:17We are working hand in hand with the United States.

01:22Their commitment to participate in its, in the security guarantees with the Europeans

01:29and other like-minded countries is a very important step, a very welcome step.

01:36Meanwhile, Russian forces are still pounding Ukrainian targets.

01:40Since Monday, Ukraine's Air Force said Russia has launched hundreds of drones and missiles into Ukraine.

01:47The president says he wants the meeting between Putin and Zelensky to happen quickly,

01:51insisting he doesn't want to wait another month.

01:54Nicole D'Antonio, ABC News, Washington.