Trump's possible Ukraine policy shift sparks new EU fears — Politico
Photo: The EU fears that Trump will lead the negotiations himself (Getty Images)
European officials are concerned now that the Iranian crisis is behind him, US President Donald Trump may try to take the peace process regarding Ukraine into his own hands, according to Politico.
What Europe fears
Behind the scenes at the G7 summit in Evian, EU officials are speaking openly about Trump’s active intervention in the negotiations on Ukraine, which could undermine their strategy of maximum pressure on Russia.
"Having Trump be distracted was not necessarily a bad thing," says one EU diplomat on condition of anonymity.
The concerns are specific: Trump could take control of the peace process, sideline allies, and propose terms that Kyiv and Brussels would not accept.
What Trump says in France
Arriving in Evian the day after his birthday, the US President meets with French President Emmanuel Macron and states that he is now ready to focus on Ukraine.
"Now that this is finished, we are gonna be focusing on that and see if we can get that one done," Trump says, referring to the end of the Iranian crisis. "Twenty-five thousand people a month are dying, mostly soldiers. That shouldn’t happen."
Trump also reveals that he spoke by phone the day before with both Kremlin leader Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and considers both open to negotiations.
European Union's position
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen states that the EU is already covering two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs, 90 billion euros for this year and next. She expects the remainder from partners.
Additionally, €75 million in grants for Ukraine and a €15 billion loan from France for the development of the defense industry under the SAFE program were announced.
On the same day, EU ministers agreed to officially launch membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Who should lead the negotiations—that debate is still ahead
Macron insists that Europe must be at the negotiating table, not as a mediator, but as an equal partner.
"The right kind of negotiation is one with Ukraine and Russia sitting around the table, and the Europeans and Americans by their side," he says in an interview with TF1.
Zelenskyy also insists that Europe must be an ally, not a mediator. Kyiv and Brussels want to bring the US on board with a joint negotiating position, without any concessions on territory.
After the Iranian crisis ended, Trump stated that the US would now focus on achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine. He said this during a meeting with Macron in Evian, adding that 25,000 people are dying in the war every month.
Zelenskyy said that he and Trump discussed the possibility of a meeting with the Kremlin leader in the US in a format that Putin would find harder to refuse. If Russia rejects this option as well, Kyiv expects increased pressure.
