Europe and Ukraine Baffled by Trump’s Sudden Shift Back Toward Russia

According to Financial News, European leaders who had hoped for a breakthrough in the Ukraine war this year have decided to accelerate peace plans in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable stance. After supporting Ukraine since August, Trump reportedly shifted back toward Russia following a call with the Russian leader this month, reminiscent of his position in February.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 19th (local time) that Trump expressed anger toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 17th. According to sources, Trump not only refused to provide Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) to Zelenskyy but also pressured him to accept the ceasefire terms demanded by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
One European official briefed on the White House meeting described Zelenskyy as "very negative" afterward. The official added that European leaders are "not optimistic, but are realistically planning the next steps."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the 18th, "Germany and our European friends fully support Zelenskyy for peace." He emphasized, "After the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, we will take the next steps together," and added, "Ukraine needs a peace plan now."
According to The Kyiv Independent, immediately after meeting Trump, Zelenskyy spoke by phone with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Starmer proposed working with the U.S. to develop a peace plan for Ukraine similar to the ceasefire in Gaza.
A source who spoke to Politico on the 19th said, "Just four days ago, we were discussing TLAMs, but now the focus is on Ukraine ceding territory." The source added, "When Trump changes his stance again, it will be up to Europe to ensure the outcome favors Ukraine."
Since last year’s presidential election, Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine and, upon taking office, sought a quick ceasefire by pressuring Ukraine from Russia’s side. He even expelled Zelenskyy from the White House in February last year. When both sides failed to halt hostilities, Trump adopted a more pro-Ukraine stance from April. After meeting Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in August, he grew even closer to Ukraine. However, when Putin continued hostilities after their meeting, Trump said this month he might provide Ukraine with long-range TLAMs capable of striking the Russian capital.

However, Trump’s position reversed again after a phone call with Putin on the 16th. During the call, Putin said that if Ukraine fully ceded Donetsk Oblast to Russia, he could return parts of the Russian-occupied areas in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Kherson Oblast. The Washington Post (WP) noted that if Ukraine gave up the fortified areas of Donetsk Oblast, it would be difficult to stop Russia’s advance.
According to FT, the day after his call with Putin, Trump met with Zelenskyy and demanded, as Putin had suggested, that Ukraine give up territory. Sources said that on the 17th, Trump told Zelenskyy, "Putin calls this not a war but a 'special military operation.' You are losing the war. If he wants, Putin will destroy you."
In an interview with National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on the 19th, Zelenskyy said, "To stop this war and urgently move toward diplomatic peace talks, we must remain where we are, at the current frontlines." He also stated, "We must not give Putin anything more." On X, Zelenskyy wrote, "Words alone cannot stop Putin; pressure is needed. The world sees that Russia responds to strength. This means peace through strength can work."
A source who spoke to Politico said that although Trump clashed with Zelenskyy on the 17th, they ultimately agreed to negotiate based on the current frontlines, without further concessions to Russia. After the meeting, Trump posted on social media, "Ukraine and Russia must stop where they are now. It is time to end the killing and reach an agreement."
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters on the 16th that he plans to meet Putin directly in Budapest, Hungary, within the next two weeks. In an interview on the 19th, Zelenskyy was asked if he would attend the U.S.-Russia summit in Budapest. He replied, "I have already told Trump. I am ready."
pjw@fnnews.com Jong-won Park Reporter