WASHINGTON, USA: The United States has no current plans to deploy military trainers to Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia, US General Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed on Monday. This statement follows France’s recent openness to sending troops to train Ukrainian forces.
More than two years into the war, Russian forces are making incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, capitalizing on Ukrainian manpower shortages and delayed arms supplies from Western allies. This situation has prompted questions about further steps the United States and its allies can take, beyond the substantial financial and material support already provided.
“Right now, there are no plans to bring U.S. trainers into Ukraine,” General Brown stated. He suggested that the presence of US trainers might be considered post-conflict, when conditions stabilize.
Prior to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the US had around 150 military trainers in Ukraine. However, their
deployment ceased with the onset of hostilities. Since then, the US has supported Ukraine through billions of dollars in weaponry, intelligence sharing, and training conducted outside the country’s borders.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments in February, which suggested the possibility of European nations sending troops to Ukraine, have added to the discussion. However, this idea has met with opposition from other European leaders, and Macron’s foreign minister clarified that any French troop deployment would be limited to specific needs, not direct combat against Russian forces. French diplomats indicated that Macron’s remarks were intended to stimulate debate rather than outline concrete plans.
General Brown’s remarks came during a press conference with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, following a meeting of Ukraine’s military supporters. Both officials emphasized the importance of continued support for Kyiv as Russian forces intensify their offensive, particularly around Kharkiv.
The Pentagon also addressed comments from former State Department official Victoria Nuland, who suggested that President Joe Biden should lift the restriction on Ukraine using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia. The White House has maintained this prohibition to avoid escalating the conflict into a direct confrontation with Moscow.
General Brown noted that, to his knowledge, Ukraine has not employed US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) within Russian territory, aligning with current US policy to limit the conflict’s geographic expansion.
As the war continues, the US remains committed to supporting Ukraine through means that do not involve direct military involvement on Ukrainian soil, focusing instead on external training, supply of arms, and strategic support.
