Top European Union diplomat warns Trump not to let Putin break alliances
The United States and Russia recently held peace talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, but notably absent from the discussions were representatives from Ukraine and Europe. This has raised concerns among European leaders, who fear that President Donald Trump may be allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to divide the longstanding alliance between the U.S. and Europe.
EU policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of European involvement in any deal concerning Ukraine, stating that Europe and the U.S. are stronger together. She warned against allowing Putin to succeed in dividing the West, urging unity in the face of Russian aggression.
Despite assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Ukraine, Europe, and Russia will need to be involved in any ceasefire terms, some comments made by President Trump have caused frustration in Kyiv and raised eyebrows across Europe. Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine hold presidential elections, which is constitutionally impossible during a state of war, has been met with criticism.
Kallas has proposed increasing EU military aid to Ukraine in order to bolster Kyiv’s negotiating position and ensure a just peace. European leaders have reportedly convened emergency summits to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with concerns mounting over the possibility of Putin dividing the West.
Former DIA intelligence officer Rebekah Koffler, author of “Putin’s Playbook,” believes that the Trump administration’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine does not indicate a shift away from European allies. She argues that NATO’s failure to prepare for and deter Russian aggression has left the responsibility of Europe’s protection in the hands of European nations.
Overall, the peace talks between the U.S. and Russia have sparked debate and concern among European leaders, who are eager to ensure that Ukraine’s interests are represented and that the West remains united in the face of Russian aggression. The situation in Ukraine remains complex, with the need for a just and lasting peace paramount in the minds of all involved.
