Trump shocks EU leaders with harsh statement on Ukraine war – BILD

According to the outlet, following his conversation with Putin, US President Donald Trump, during a closed phone call with EU leaders, unexpectedly announced a sharp shift in his policy on the war in Ukraine.

Sources within the German government told the publication that Trump no longer demands a 30-day ceasefire from Moscow and has no intention of imposing new sanctions, despite previously assuring European allies he would do so.

BILD reports that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and other participants in the call were stunned by Trump's statement.

Anonymous sources said that Trump remarked, "Russia and Ukraine will now seek a solution between themselves."

One of BILD's sources noted that at that moment, "everyone held their breath" and no one dared to ask whether this meant a complete US withdrawal from support for Ukraine.

According to the sources, Merz tried to soften the impact of Trump's remarks by proposing a technical meeting between representatives of the parties to prepare for potential peace talks. Trump reportedly agreed to the idea, which helped avoid an immediate breakdown in coordination between the US and Europe.

However, officials in Berlin fear that Trump could change his position at any moment. The outlet writes that a complete withdrawal of US involvement and the lifting of American sanctions on Russia could, according to analysts, deliver a severe blow to Ukraine.

Trump's call with Putin

On Monday, May 19, Trump held a phone call with the Russian President.

More details about the conversation between Trump and Putin are available in a report by RBC-Ukraine.

Immediately after the call, a conference call took place involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and five other European leaders.

Notably, Axios has learned what Trump told Zelenskyy and the EU leaders following his conversation with Putin.