Nato military chiefs to hold meeting today as Donald Trump rules out putting US troops on ground in Ukraine
As military planners start to work on what options might exist for security guarantees, Mr Trump ruled out sending US troops into Ukraine but suggested that Washington could provide some type of air support.
US air force general Alexus Grynkewich, who also oversees all Nato operations in Europe, will brief the chiefs of defence on the results of the Alaska meeting between Mr Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin last week.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the Nato military committee, said there would be a video conference today.
Officials said the meeting was taking place during unique circumstances and expected topics such as the security guarantee to be discussed.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US general Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to attend the meeting, but plans could change.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The British government said what is known as the Coalition of the Willing, which met virtually yesterday, had agreed that its planning teams would meet US counterparts in the coming days to advance plans for security guarantees for Ukraine.
We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air
Earlier yesterday, Mr Trump ruled out placing American soldiers in Ukraine and gave no specifics about the security guarantees he has previously said Washington could offer Kyiv under any post-war settlement. But in the same interview with Fox News, he suggested Washington could provide air support to Ukraine.
'When it comes to security, [Europeans] are willing to put people on the ground, we're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have, really they don't have,' Mr Trump said. He did not provide any further details.
Officials have told Reuters the Pentagon is carrying out planning exercises on the type of support Washington could offer that goes beyond simply providing weapons.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said after his meeting with Mr Trump and European leaders that security guarantees for Kyiv will probably be worked out within 10 days.
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