This article criticizes Donald Trump's appeasement of Vladimir Putin, highlighting the danger it poses to Ukraine and Europe. It discusses Trump's meeting with Putin, his disregard for Ukrainian concerns, and his willingness to abandon US support for Ukraine. The article also emphasizes the importance of a united front against Russian aggression and calls on European nations to stand with Ukraine.
Ukraine and its Europe an allies braced for the worst when Donald Trump won a second term. But the scale of his surrender to Russian aggression has still shocked them. On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin’s nearly three years of isolation by the west was broken by his 90-minute, “highly productive” meeting with Mr Trump. Joe Biden called the Russian president a murderous dictator; Mr Trump praised Mr Putin’s mounting aggression towards Ukraine, days before the full-scale invasion of 2022.
Now, two great powers plan negotiations – without regard for Ukraine, Europe or even Mr Trump’s own Ukraine envoy. And “an illusory goal”. Forget Ukrainian membership of Nato: “I don’t think it’s practical … I’m OK with that,” Mr Trump Forget US support: it will be up to European countries and others to provide any deterrent force, the US defence secretary. European security is no longer the primary focus for the US, added Mr Hegseth – and that was the toned-down version. That Ukraine “may be Russian some day”. Now he is not even feigning interest in Kyiv’s views. Mr Trump presumably believes that when the US turns off the tap, Ukraine and Europe will be forced to acquiesce in whatever he and Mr Putin have cooked up. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this week that “security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees”. Mr Trump has not only sidelined Mr Zelenskyy but further undermined him by pushing Russia’s narrative that says in public, it understood that Nato membership was never imminent and surely anticipated some territorial concessions, however bitter after so much sacrifice. But Mr Trump has given way to Russian demands before even reaching the negotiating table. This sounds more like the art of surrender than the art of the deal. Mr Putin, however, is in no rush. The last thing he wants is Nato members’ forces on the ground in Ukraine. Dragging out talks might allow funding for Kyiv to dry up and domestic grumbling in Ukraine to morph into political instability, while Russia makes further battlefield advances. The failure of Mr Trump’s talks with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un showed how his rhetoric can run up against reality. Some have suggested that his self-regard will prevent him from settling for a deal in which too obviously prevails. Perhaps he may yet latch on to a different exit if someone can find one that appeals to his vanity. Yet whatever the outcome, Mr Trump will surely declare it a triumph. For Ukraine, and others in the region, this is an existential war. For others – including the US – this has been about containing and degrading a hostile power, notwithstanding the sincere sympathy and grand statements about defending democracy. It is not only Ukraine that now hears the bell tolling. Despite fears that European domestic politics are tending away from staunch support for Kyiv, Thursday’s forceful responses to the US from European nations, are welcome. They are right to insist that they, like Ukraine, must be part of any negotiations, to state their commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to stress their willingness to enhance support. Mr Trump is abandoning Ukraine. Others would be both wrong and reckless to follow suit
DONALD TRUMP VLADIMIR PUTIN UKRAINE EUROPE NATO RUSSIAN AGGRESSION INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POLITICS
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Demands Putin End Ukraine War, Browder Calls for Frozen Assets to Fund Ukraine's DefenseUS President Donald Trump issued a strong ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine and threatening sanctions if negotiations stall. Bill Browder, a prominent financier and activist, called for the allocation of Russia's frozen $300 billion assets to support Ukraine's military. Meanwhile, Russia claimed a strategic victory in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, while the Ukrainian air force reported successfully intercepting numerous Russian drones. A Russian intelligence vessel, the Yantar, raised international alarm as it sailed through the English Channel, prompting accusations of targeting critical underwater infrastructure.
Read more »
Ukraine war briefing: I will sit down with US, Europe and Putin, says ZelenskyyUkrainian president ready to ‘move to the diplomatic track’; Russian strike kills five civilians including pregnant teenager. What we know on day 1,078
Read more »
Can Europe Stand Up to Trump and Putin?The EU faces major challenges in 2025 from both external and internal threats. US-EU relations are strained, China's influence is growing, Russia poses a security threat, and populist movements are gaining traction within Europe. Strong and united leadership is crucial for the EU to survive these challenges.
Read more »
Trump's 'Peace' Deal for Ukraine: A Grim Prospect for EuropeDonald Trump and Vladimir Putin's recent phone call highlights the concerning shift in American foreign policy towards Russia. Trump's vision of peace in Ukraine involves a freeze along the current line of contact, no NATO membership for Ukraine, and no US involvement in peacekeeping. While this might seem like a victory for Putin's ego, it leaves Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks and sets a dangerous precedent for European security. The article explores the ramifications of this deal, urging European leaders to take a proactive stance in defending their continent.
Read more »
Putin’s obsession with total victory is major obstacle for Trump’s Ukraine planDonald Trump is starting to find Vladimir Putin is not as willing to negotiate as he hoped.
Read more »
Trump signals tougher approach with Putin on Ukraine“We can do it the easy way, or the hard way,” said Trump who previously claimed he would end the war within 24 hours of being sworn in as president.
Read more »