Trump speaking at a multilateral meeting discussing 'Ukraine peace' (center) [Washington EPA=Yonhap News. Reproduction and database prohibited]

(Washington=Yonhap News) Correspondent Park Sung-min = U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 19th (local time) that Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is impossible as part of security guarantees for Ukraine.

In a phone interview with Fox News on the same day, President Trump said regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, "Some form of security guarantee will be needed, but not NATO membership."

He added, "That will absolutely not happen," and asked, "If you were Russia, would you want an enemy on your border?"

He emphasized, "In terms of security issues, they (Europe) are trying to send troops to the field (Ukraine). We want to help them," adding, "Perhaps you could talk about air defense support, because there is no country that has equipment like ours (the U.S.)."

President Trump also pointed out that the Trump administration had previously stated that U.S. troops would not be deployed to protect Ukraine's borders, stating, "I can guarantee (that U.S. troops will not be deployed to Ukraine). I am the President. I am just trying to prevent people from dying," drawing a line.

President Trump also claimed that the war in Ukraine began not only due to NATO but also due to the issue of Crimea, stating, "Both (NATO membership and return of Crimea) are impossible."

Regarding Russia's forced annexation of Crimea during its first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, President Trump criticized it as "purely the fault of (former U.S. President Barack) Obama," saying, "Obama handed it over without a single shot fired, and it was one of the worst real estate deals I've ever seen."

President Trump said he is arranging for President Putin and President Zelensky to meet and hold peace talks, stating, "I hope Putin does well. Zelensky will also do what he needs to do. Zelensky needs to show some flexibility."

He added, "We will see how it turns out. If it goes well, I will participate in a trilateral meeting to finalize things."

min22@yna.co.kr

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