Trump’s Conversations with European Leaders on Ukraine
During a private phone call, US President Donald Trump reportedly conveyed to European leaders that he is hesitant to end the conflict in Ukraine, believing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently gaining the upper hand. This was discussed in a call that took place on Monday and included discussions with key figures such as Ukrainian President Voldi Zelenkie, French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Prime Minister Ursula von der Leyen, as noted in a report by the Washington Post.
Trump seemed to suggest that Putin is not yet inclined towards peace, which is somewhat of a shift from his earlier statements where he claimed that Putin desired peace. His position seems to align more with European leaders’ and Zelensky’s approach, indicating a willingness to escalate the conflict with Russia.
Previous Call with European Leaders
In a prior conversation on Sunday, Trump mentioned that if Putin declines to engage in a ceasefire, he might contemplate imposing sanctions on Russia. However, by the following day, US officials were reportedly reluctant to pursue that strategy against Russia, according to the Post. Trump expressed his viewpoint by stating, “This is not my war. We got caught up in something we shouldn’t have been involved in.”
Despite the shift regarding sanctions, European leaders found some clarity in Trump’s statements. They inferred that the Trump administration is likely to continue supplying arms to Ukraine, provided that Europe and Ukraine finance them. This assistance could prove beneficial for Ukraine.
There have been suggestions that Trump might send Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Keith Kellogg to engage in dialogue concerning Russia and Ukraine, with discussions likely to be held in the Vatican. Yet, on Monday, Trump seemed uncertain about the US’s role in those talks.
European leaders emphasized that discussions stemming from the Vatican should be paired with an “unconditional ceasefire.” However, Trump opposed the term “unconditional,” which seems contradictory given that he had previously called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in a post on May 8.
Differences in US and European Strategies
Trump’s hesitation to put pressure on the ceasefire talks highlights a distinct contrast between the US approach and that of the EU. After a discussion with Trump earlier this week, he rejected the idea of aligning with EU sanctions and instead displayed interest in mending economic ties with Russia.
Additionally, the US Secretary of State refrained from labeling Putin as a war criminal during a Congressional hearing, further casting doubt on the administration’s commitment to taking a strong stance against Moscow regarding its actions in Ukraine.
