Trump wants to get land back for Ukraine – but nixes NATO hopes

President Donald Trump made it clear Wednesday that Ukraine will not be joining NATO, insisting that Russia will have to make concessions in peace talks.

Speaking before his first Cabinet meeting, Trump stated his goal of securing as much occupied land as possible for Ukraine while brokering a deal both sides can accept.

Trump’s Stance on Ukraine’s Future

“We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal for both sides,” Trump said. “For Ukraine, we’re going to try very hard to get as much back as possible.”

However, he firmly dismissed any chance of Ukraine entering NATO, saying, “NATO, you can forget about. I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has long pushed for NATO membership as a guarantee against future Russian aggression. Over the weekend, he even suggested he’d be willing to step down if it meant securing Ukraine’s place in the alliance.

Security Guarantees and the Mineral Deal

Trump also signaled that the U.S. would not provide any additional security guarantees beyond a mineral deal that Zelensky is expected to sign in Washington on Friday. According to reports, the deal does not include direct military protection but sets up a mineral fund between the U.S. and Ukraine. Trump argued that American workers operating in Ukraine after the war would serve as a “sort of automatic security.”

He reiterated his support for deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine, despite Moscow’s opposition to the idea. “Peacekeeping is very easy,” Trump said. “It’s making the deal that’s very tough.”

No Date Set for Trump-Putin Talks

While Trump has yet to announce a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, both nations have agreed to hold further delegation meetings before any face-to-face talks between the two leaders. The next steps in negotiations remain uncertain as Ukraine braces for a new phase in the ongoing conflict.