Trump Rules Out NATO Membership and Security Guarantees for Ukraine

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States would not provide security guarantees or support NATO membership for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to visit Washington to finalize an agreement involving the transfer of natural resources.

Trump, who has pursued closer ties with Russia and is seeking a swift resolution to the ongoing three-year conflict, stated that European nations would be responsible for Ukraine’s security.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump revealed that Zelensky would visit on Friday to sign the agreement, which includes the transfer of rare earth minerals crucial for aerospace and advanced technology, following considerable US pressure.

“This is a beneficial deal for Ukraine as well because our presence there provides a form of security—no one is going to interfere when we’re on the ground,” Trump said.

However, he firmly dismissed the idea of formal US security guarantees, emphasizing that Europe should take on that role. “Europe is their neighbor, and they should be the ones ensuring security. We’ll be there to oversee that everything goes smoothly,” he added.

Trump also ruled out Ukrainian membership in NATO, aligning with Russia’s stance that NATO expansion was a key factor behind the conflict. “NATO—forget about it. That’s likely why this all started,” he stated.

In contrast, former President Joe Biden supported Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership but did not provide a specific timeline.

Earlier this week, the US sided with Russia at the United Nations, backing a resolution that called for an end to the war without explicitly affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity—a stance that diverged from most European allies.

Trump expressed optimism about reaching a peace agreement, crediting his diplomacy for a more cooperative approach from Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin’s a smart, strategic guy. I believe we’re on track for a deal. If I hadn’t been elected, I think he would have continued his advance through Ukraine,” Trump noted.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently told Trump that European nations might consider deploying troops to support any peace agreement, but stressed that US backing was essential for guaranteeing security. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to convey a similar message during his meeting with Trump on Thursday.