President Donald Trump’s latest push to end the Russia-Ukraine war is increasingly shaped by his impatience — especially with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders. Trump believes they are slowing down what he sees as a path toward peace and future U.S.–Russia economic cooperation.
During a recent interview at the White House, he made his frustrations clear. He criticized European leaders as people who “talk but don’t deliver,” and argued that Zelenskyy needs to be more flexible because, in his view, Russia currently holds the advantage on the battlefield. Trump also complained that Zelenskyy hadn’t fully reviewed the newest American proposal.
Meanwhile in Kyiv, Zelenskyy spent the day coordinating with leaders from France, Germany, and Britain to rework the U.S. peace plan. What began as a 28-point document has been trimmed down to around 20 points after removing provisions Ukraine viewed as overly favorable to Moscow. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine still needs stronger security guarantees and will not surrender more land in the Donbas than Russian forces currently occupy.
Despite months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, the negotiations appear to be stalled. Russia remains firm on its demands, and European officials increasingly feel the pressure to prove Trump wrong. One European diplomat admitted that Trump’s criticism about Europe being slow to act has “some truth,” but argued that things are finally shifting — pointing to rising NATO defense spending and joint weapons purchases for Ukraine.
Still, Europe faces hurdles of its own. The EU is struggling to secure support from Belgium for a large loan package to Ukraine funded through frozen Russian assets. “If this fails, we’re in trouble,” warned another European official.
Experts note that Europe’s ability to push back against Trump is limited. The continent still depends heavily on the U.S. for security, making it difficult for European leaders to challenge Washington directly. Yet many remain alarmed that Trump’s approach seems to tilt toward Moscow. They dispute his claim that Russia “has the upper hand,” arguing that if Russia were truly dominant, the war would have ended long ago.
Trump has declined to authorize new U.S. military aid to Ukraine while criticizing previous administrations for sending billions in support. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, countered Trump’s narrative, saying Russia has failed in its strategic objectives and insisting that Ukraine could still prevail with stronger American backing. But if Washington shifts closer to Russia, Ukraine’s situation becomes far more uncertain.
Trump’s eagerness to repair ties with Moscow is clear. Analysts say he appears motivated not by long-standing diplomatic priorities, but by the prospect of cutting deals with Vladimir Putin. Critics warn that this dynamic — involving Trump associates with business backgrounds engaging with Russia’s sovereign investment network — risks turning geopolitical strategy into a series of transactional negotiations.
At the same time, Trump wants Europe to become less dependent on the United States, arguing that America has carried the burden of Europe’s security for too long. He even questioned whether European countries would remain U.S. allies, saying it “depends” on how they handle issues like immigration.
Europe, despite recognizing the need for greater self-reliance, has been slow to strengthen its defenses. Under U.S. pressure, NATO members recently agreed to ramp up defense spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade — a dramatic increase. Yet with Ukraine facing severe shortages of ammunition, weapons, and morale as the war heads into another winter, some fear these efforts may come too late.
Diplomats argue that Trump’s approach is flawed because he has not created the conditions necessary to pressure Russia into compromise. As one seasoned foreign policy expert put it, “Wanting peace isn’t enough. You have to shape the situation so that both sides are willing to make real concessions. That hasn’t happened.”
For now, the future of the negotiations remains uncertain. Trump wants a quick deal. Ukraine wants security and sovereignty. Europe wants unity. And Russia, confident in its demands, sees little reason to change course. The coming months will determine which of these forces ultimately shapes the next chapter of the conflict.
Comments
Post a Comment