The White House has reiterated that President Biden has no plans to send US troops to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, dismissing comments from a close Senate ally that the administration should consider such a scenario.

Responding to comments by Sen. Chris Coons (D, Del.), White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden disagreed with the suggestion to send US forces to the Relief from Ukraine.

“The president still has no intention of sending troops to fight a war with Russia,” she said Monday. “He doesn’t think it’s in the interest of our national security or in the interest of the American people.”

Speaking at an event at the University of Michigan, Coons said Congress and the White House should “come to a common position on when we’re ready to take the next step.” and to send not only arms but troops to aid in the defense of Ukraine.”

“If the answer is never, then we invite Putin to another level of escalating brutality,” he added.

In a follow-up tweet Monday after his earlier remarks drew attention, Mr Coons said he was “not calling on US troops to go to war in Ukraine”.

The president has long rejected the idea of ​​sending American troops to fight in Ukraine, because the country is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and therefore does not have a formal military alliance with the United States. However, he clarified that an attack on any NATO member would trigger a collective military response from member states.

Ms. Psaki added that the administration remained committed to helping Ukraine in other ways, short of sending in troops.