Warning Signal from the West: European Leaders Alarmed by Trump’s Attitude Towards Putin and Fear of Concessions
Following a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump has come under criticism and concern among European leaders. According to the Financial Times, leaders of EU countries and high-ranking officials with whom Trump communicated regarding the incident appeared deeply dissatisfied and surprised by his behavior and approach to relations with the Kremlin. The FT source, familiar with the details of the phone conversation, reports that during the call with Vladimir Putin, the U.S. president did not demonstrate any intention to pressure the Russian leader to achieve specific results or steps toward Ukraine. Even more alarming to European diplomats was the fact that Trump informed not only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but also leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and the head of the European Commission about the content of his discussion with Putin. According to the FT, European leaders were "unpleasantly surprised" by the formulations and details that Trump shared in his report on the meeting with the Kremlin leader. Many expressed concerns that the American leader is not prepared to exert sufficient pressure on Putin to compel him to act more flexibly and responsibly regarding Ukraine and international peace initiatives. European capitals are beginning to fear that such a stance could lead to agreements with Moscow that satisfy Putin's ambitions and contradict Ukraine's critical interests. Recall that after his conversation with Putin on May 19, Trump made a vague statement emphasizing that Ukraine and Russia would "immediately" start negotiations to end the war. However, in this message, he seemingly deliberately did not highlight several important details: on one hand, the U.S. administration's demands for an unconditional ceasefire, which Putin openly ignored; and on the other, potential pressure through sanctions if Moscow continues to refuse concessions. This nuanced but delicate combination of messages has caused additional concern among Western diplomats and analysts. Participants in international consultations predict that if the U.S. makes concessions or agrees to deals that contradict Ukraine's interests, this could have long-term consequences for regional stability and security. Following the publication of these statements, Trump had a one-hour conversation with Zelenskyy and European leaders, but questions about pressure on Russia and a clear stance on sanctions remain unresolved and are a source of worry among experts and diplomats. Whether a united European strategy to counter Kremlin aggression will be preserved, and how Washington's new political moves will influence the unity and support for Ukraine—these are the key challenges facing the international community in the coming months.