Zelenskyy-Trump Discuss US Troop Presence in Ukraine as Peace Deal Reaches 95%

A massive security shift is on the table. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed he's discussing the potential presence of U.S. troops in Ukraine with Donald Trump as part of a high-stakes security guarantee package.

US Troop Presence in Ukraine 2025: A New Security Pillar

According to Reuters, Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, that Kyiv is actively exploring the deployment of U.S. forces to bolster its defense. This follows a weekend meeting at Mar-a-Lago where Trump claimed a deal to end the war is 95% of the way there. While territorial disputes remain thorny, the focus has shifted toward what happens after the guns fall silent.

"We want this. This would be a strong position of the security guarantees," Zelenskyy said, emphasizing that a foreign troop presence would prevent future Russian aggression. Trump has been more cautious, suggesting that while the U.S. will back the effort, European nations should take over a "big part" of the boots-on-the-ground responsibility.

Navigating Russia's Hardline Stance

Russia has signaled it will toughen its stance following allegations of a faked attack on Vladimir Putin's residence, a claim Kyiv dismissed as a pretext to scuttle the talks. Meanwhile, Polish Prime MinisterDonald Tusk hinted at peace arriving within weeks, supported by U.S. guarantees, though he admitted success isn't yet certain.

Escalation in Odesa Amidst Diplomacy

Despite the diplomatic flurry, the war remains intense. Russia launched fresh drone strikes on Odesa's ports on Tuesday, targeting civilian ships and grain infrastructure. Ukraine continues to deploy sea drones against Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Black Sea, maintaining pressure on Moscow's economy.