US with Europe can provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but not in NATO format - Trump

The United States, together with Europe and other countries, can provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but not in a NATO format, US President Donald Trump has said.

"The possibility of the United States providing security guarantees to Ukraine. Maybe with Europe and other countries. Not in a NATO format, because that's not going to happen, you know, there are certain things that are not going to happen. But yes, with Europe, that's a possibility," Trump said while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday.

At the same time, he added that during today's meeting in Alaska, territorial exchanges will be discussed, but Trump "should let Ukraine make that decision."

"And I think they will make the right decision. But I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to bring them to the negotiating table," Trump said.

According to him, if he were not president, Putin would have seized all of Ukraine right now.

"But he (Putin - IF-U) will not do it," the US president said.

He also commented on the Russian shelling of Ukraine, saying that Putin is trying to "create conditions that he thinks will help him make a better deal." However, Trump stressed that the shelling of Ukraine is hurting Putin.

"But in his opinion, it will help him make a better deal if they (Russia - IF-U) can keep killing. Maybe it's part of the world, maybe it's just his character, his genes, his genetics. But he thinks it makes him stronger in negotiations. I think it hurts him, but I'll talk to him about it later," Trump said.

In addition, the US president stressed that Russia will face serious economic consequences if he feels that Putin is not interested.