In a dramatic turn of events, the former President of the United States Donald Trump has changed his position concerning the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Trump is now pushing for Kyiv and Moscow to end the war without any direct American intervention, a move that has caused panic among European allies.
Trump Tells Ukraine to Fight War with Russia Alone
In a private telephone call with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump indicated that he thinks Ukraine and Russia need to work things out themselves. Trump told the leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin had no desire to put an end to the war and appeared to be confident that he had the best of it. This is a stark departure from efforts by the United States in the past to mediate and assist Ukraine in the war.
This shift in tone has raised alarm in Europe, where officials worry that if America does not lead the way, Ukraine’s stance would become weakened and Russia’s would be encouraged.
European Nations Ratchet Up
As the U.S. steps back, European countries are taking the lead. In February of 2025, a new coalition named Weimar+ was established, comprising France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and Italy. They aim to spearhead European initiatives to aid Ukraine and advocate for peace. According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, if Europe does not take the reins, there might be no “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, also stressed the need for European unity and leadership in backing Kyiv in negotiations.
In March, 16 nations, the EU, and NATO met in London for a summit on Ukraine. There, they prepared a possible peace plan and talked about creating a “coalition of the willing” to supply long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Relations Between Trump and Zelensky Sour as U.S. Support Falters
Relations between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have deteriorated sharply over recent months. A tense disagreement during their February meeting at the White House reportedly saw Trump storm off. An intended deal on Ukraine’s natural resources was also abandoned, marking a collapse of cooperation.
Numerous U.S. allies are concerned about this pushback, seeing it as a warning sign of waning U.S. backing for Ukraine. There is concern that Trump’s more isolationist stance may help Russia by delaying the dispute and reducing pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations.
In spite of this change, Ukraine holds firm. It has regained pieces of its homeland and forged strong international alliances. But without firm support from the U.S., Ukraine’s capacity for negotiating on an equal basis may be at stake. As the conflict rages on, Europe seems poised to fill in where America might retreat.
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