US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at a press briefing in Poland on February 14, 2025. (Photo: PAP/VNA)

When asked whether US forces could be deployed to Ukraine, he said the US has been very clear that US troops will not be on the ground in Ukraine, adding that Europe should lead in providing security.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may present to US President Donald Trump on Thursday the draft version of a plan to deploy British and French peacekeepers to Ukraine. The plan calls for deploying ground, air, and naval forces, but London and Paris would like to be assured of fire support from Washington should their peacekeepers find themselves in danger.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS that Russia has a negative attitude toward the idea of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine, which he called a step toward escalation.