U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement about negotiating with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv’s supporters. Many are calling the move a “surrender of Ukraine’s interests” and a potential win for the Kremlin.
Trump’s Negotiation Plan: A Win for Russia?
In a surprising move, President Trump revealed he had spoken with Vladimir Putin and plans to “start negotiations immediately” regarding the ongoing Ukraine war. This announcement has left Ukraine’s allies, including U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, deeply concerned.
Schiff, a long-time critic of Trump, took to social media to express his dismay. “Today, President Trump called our enemy, Russia, before calling our ally, Ukraine,” he said. “Let’s not mince words about what this represents: a surrender of Ukraine’s interests and our own, even before negotiations begin.”
Trump also hinted at a future meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy.
International Backlash: Europe Reacts
The European Union and its allies were quick to respond. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a statement on behalf of the Weimar + group, which includes France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the U.K.
“Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are unconditional,” the statement emphasized. “Our priority must now be strengthening Ukraine and providing robust security guarantees.”
Marko Mihkelson, chair of the Estonian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, warned that this could be a “dark day for Europe.” He urged European leaders to “take our fate into our own hands.”
U.S. Defense Secretary’s Controversial Remarks
Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that Ukraine should abandon hopes of reclaiming all territories occupied by Russia since 2014. He called the goal of restoring pre-2014 borders “illusory.”
Trump echoed this sentiment, telling reporters at the White House that it was “unlikely” Ukraine would regain all its lost land. However, he did add, “Some of it will come back. I think some of it will come back, yeah.”
Criticism from Across the Atlantic
Former British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly criticized Trump’s approach, calling it a weak negotiation strategy. “Starting a negotiation by setting out what one side should give up is not a strong move,” Cleverly said. “Giving the impression that invasion pays off is not a strong move. Regimes are watching closely.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, remained optimistic. He highlighted his discussions with Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who visited Kyiv to discuss economic partnerships.
“Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace,” Zelenskyy said. “As President Trump said, let’s get it done.”
Trump’s Ambiguous Stance on Ukraine’s Role
Despite Zelenskyy’s hopeful tone, Trump later declined to confirm whether Ukraine would have an equal role in the peace process. When asked by a reporter, he responded, “It’s an interesting question. I think they [Ukraine] have to make peace. That was not a good war to go into.”
This remark sparked further criticism, with many accusing Trump of blaming Ukraine for Russia’s invasion. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for “a just peace” and insisted that Ukraine and Europe must be included in any negotiations.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s plan to negotiate with Putin has alarmed Ukraine’s allies.
- Critics argue the move undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and rewards Russian aggression.
- European leaders are urging stronger support for Ukraine and robust security guarantees.
- Trump’s ambiguous stance on Ukraine’s role in peace talks has drawn widespread criticism.
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