Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Discussing Possible U.S. Troop Presence as Security Guarantee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv is actively discussing the potential presence of U.S. troops in Ukraine with Washington as part of long-term security guarantees, while also rejecting Russia’s claim that Ukraine attacked a residence linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments come amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Speaking to journalists in a WhatsApp chat, Zelenskiy said Ukraine remains committed to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and reiterated his readiness to meet Putin in any format. He emphasized that a U.S. military presence would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s security framework and deter future aggression. According to Zelenskiy, the issue is being discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump and representatives of Ukraine’s Western allies, underlining Kyiv’s desire for strong and credible guarantees.

President Trump said earlier this week that the United States and Ukraine were “maybe very close” to a peace agreement, although difficult territorial questions remain unresolved. While Trump expressed caution regarding security guarantees, he said talks were about 95% complete and suggested European countries would play a leading role in providing security, supported by the United States.

Tensions rose after Russia accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on a presidential residence in Russia’s Novgorod region, an allegation Kyiv firmly denied. Zelenskiy described the claim as a fabrication designed to justify further Russian attacks and to undermine peace negotiations. French officials also said there was no evidence to support Moscow’s accusation, reinforcing Ukraine’s position.

Despite the diplomatic push, Russia warned that its negotiating stance could harden and hinted at possible retaliatory strikes. At the same time, Russian forces continued drone attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa region, targeting port infrastructure critical to Ukraine’s economy and foreign trade.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said peace could be achieved within weeks if strong U.S. security guarantees are implemented, though he cautioned success was not assured. He also floated the idea of U.S. troops monitoring the line of contact, though details remain unclear.

As talks continue, maritime warfare in the Black Sea has intensified, with Ukraine increasingly using sea drones against vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, highlighting that military pressure and diplomacy are advancing in parallel.