Trump's Oval Office Talks on Ukraine Peacekeeping: Insights from New Book

A new book sheds light on President Trump's Oval Office discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict, revealing Vice President JD Vance's proposal for Indian troops in a peacekeeping role. The book details the skepticism from Trump and the dynamics of the meeting, including critical remarks about Ukrainian President Zelensky. It explores Trump's decision-making style and the broader implications of foreign troop involvement in Ukraine. This intriguing narrative invites readers to delve deeper into the complexities of international relations during Trump's presidency.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 24, 2026, 03:57 IST

Revelations from Trump's Presidency

A recently published book detailing President Donald Trump's second term reveals that Vice President JD Vance proposed the idea of involving Indian troops in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. This suggestion was met with skepticism from Trump himself. The book, titled 'Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,' authored by journalists from a prominent media outlet, recounts a meeting held in the Oval Office on January 30, shortly after Trump's inauguration, where senior officials deliberated on strategies to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Details of the Oval Office Meeting

During this meeting, retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who served as Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, introduced a plan dubbed “An America First Plan: Trump's Historic Peace Deal for Russia-Ukraine War.” Attendees included Trump, Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. The proposal suggested that while the U.S. would not officially acknowledge Russia's claims over occupied Ukrainian regions, Ukraine would also avoid military attempts to reclaim these territories. To ensure a ceasefire, peacekeeping forces from France, Britain, and the Netherlands were to be deployed in Ukraine.

Vance raised concerns about the wisdom of sending NATO troops, suggesting it might provoke Russia and increase the risk of U.S. involvement in the conflict. He inquired if non-European nations could fulfill this role, to which Waltz indicated that support from countries outside Europe would be more favorable. The authors note that Vance mentioned Saudi Arabia or India as alternatives, prompting a chuckle from Trump, who responded, “The Indians won’t do that. They won’t pay for something like that.” Trump further remarked on his good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mentioning Modi's desire to visit but added, “the Indians do not ever pay for anything.”

The discussion took place amid rising concerns regarding Russia's potential response to foreign troops in Ukraine. A month later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed to Rubio that Moscow would view NATO troops in Ukraine as “unacceptable,” regardless of their operational flags. The authors also highlight Trump's critical remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the meeting, stating, “He’s a bad negotiator,” and lamenting the destruction of his country while acknowledging Zelensky's effectiveness in securing support from the Biden administration. Trump further labeled Ukraine as the most corrupt nation globally and instructed Kellogg to refrain from engaging with Russian officials, asserting, “Nobody on your team can talk to these people, because we’re working a deal.” The book, released on June 23, delves into how Trump's decision-making during his second term increasingly leaned on his instincts and personal negotiation style.