Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Discussing Possible US Troop Role as Peace Talks Continue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is in discussions with the United States over a potential presence of American troops in the country as part of future security guarantees, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia continue amid rising tensions.

Speaking to journalists via a messaging platform, Zelenskiy said Kyiv remains committed to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He reiterated his readiness to engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite what he described as deep mistrust between the two sides.

Zelenskiy described the idea of a U.S. military presence as a significant boost to Ukraine’s security, saying such a step would strengthen deterrence and reinforce international guarantees. He said the matter was being discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump as well as representatives of Ukraine’s Western partners. The White House did not comment on whether American troops would be considered under any future settlement.

Trump said earlier this week that negotiations were nearing an agreement, though he acknowledged that disputes over territory remained difficult. He suggested European nations would play a leading role in providing security assurances, supported by the United States, while expressing cautious optimism about progress.

Meanwhile, Moscow accused Kyiv of launching a drone attack on a residence linked to Putin, an allegation Ukrainian officials firmly denied. Russian authorities said the incident would lead them to adopt a tougher negotiating position, though they stopped short of abandoning talks altogether. The Kremlin did not provide independent evidence to support its claim.

Zelenskiy dismissed the accusation as fabricated, saying it was intended to justify further Russian strikes and derail peace efforts. He said Ukraine and its partners remain focused on diplomacy, while Russia continues military escalation. French officials also said they had found no evidence supporting Moscow’s claim about an attack on the presidential residence.

Despite diplomatic exchanges, hostilities continued on the ground. Ukrainian officials reported new waves of Russian drone attacks targeting port infrastructure and civilian vessels in the Odesa region, a critical area for Ukraine’s economy and international trade. Maritime clashes in and around the Black Sea have intensified in recent months, with both sides targeting naval and commercial assets.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said peace could potentially be achieved within weeks if strong security guarantees were put in place, though he cautioned that success was far from certain. He suggested international forces could play a role along the front lines, but provided no specific details.

As negotiations continue, disagreements over territorial control remain central. Russia has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from remaining areas in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv insists any ceasefire must freeze the conflict along existing front lines. With diplomacy accelerating but fighting ongoing, the prospect of peace remains uncertain.