The machine has already started. Europe has goosebumps thinking about Donald Trump's plans
“We're making progress,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, highlighting efforts to save lives in a conflict that has changed the face of European security.
“I want to save lives — the lives of Russians and Ukrainians. That's the only reason I'm doing it. It's Biden's war — it's not Trump's war… The only thing I can do is stop it, and I think we're making progress in that direction,” he said, without giving further details.
Behind the scenes, Western diplomats say the diplomatic machine is starting to work again — cautiously, unevenly and with deep skepticism about Moscow's intentions and Washington's long-term credibility.
— There are already some movements, but no one should confuse momentum with a solution, says an anonymous senior Western diplomat in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
While Trump touts progress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is quietly pressuring allies.
He spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Sunday, discussing diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as broader transatlantic issues.
The article continues below the video
He also called Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to coordinate priorities ahead of Cyprus taking over the presidency of the EU Council from January to June 2026.
On Monday, Rubio will host German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the State Department, and officials say Ukraine is “one of the main points of the agenda.”
Wadephul's visit comes at a delicate time — not only because of the war, but also because of growing transatlantic frictions over Greenland and U.S. global priorities.
Before arriving in Washington, Wadephul stopped in Reykjavik to participate in Arctic security talks with Iceland's foreign minister, underscoring how closely Ukraine, the Arctic and great power competition are intertwined.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is also in Washington for talks on access to key raw materials – another issue that diplomats say is inextricably linked to Ukraine's reconstruction and Europe's strategic autonomy.
It has never been more important to invest in the transatlantic partnership to maintain our ability to shape world order
– Wadephul said in Berlin before leaving.
He acknowledged that there were “differences of opinion” with Washington, but added that Germany wanted to resolve them “through dialogue” to fulfill shared responsibility for peace and security.
Trump, NATO — and Greenland
These differences are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. On Sunday, Trump once again questioned the value of NATO at a time when the U.S.'s European allies are preparing for a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
“I like NATO,” he said. — I just wonder if we needed NATO, would they help us? I'm not sure about that.
Asked if he would withdraw the United States from the alliance, Trump replied that NATO “would be unhappy” and that it would “save a lot of money” by strengthening concerns of European capitals that Washington's security guarantees are increasingly uncertain and subject to various conditions.
These concerns deepened after Trump's blunt remarks about Greenland. “If we don't take over Greenland, Russia or China will — and I won't let that happen,” he said.
Pressed about the possibility of a deal, Trump replied: “Of course, I'd be happy to make a deal with them. It'll be easier. Either way, Greenland will be ours,” adding that the island's defense would come down to “two dog sleds.”
A senior European diplomat called the comments “deeply destabilizing.”
You can't ask allies to put troops at risk in Ukraine while hurling annexation rhetoric elsewhere
– he points out.
Europe is debating sending troops
This tension emerges most clearly in the European debate on post-war Ukraine.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron faced resistance from across the political spectrum after he proposed stationing French armed forces in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire.
In a closed meeting with party leaders — from the far-right National Movement to the far-left La France Insoumise — Macron's team outlined France's possible contribution of up to 6,000 troops.
A high-ranking military official emphasizes in an interview with the Kyiv Post that these forces will not perform a “stabilization” mission, but will constitute a “security” contingent deployed away from combat zones.
Still the skepticism ran deep. Many parties have demanded a UN mandate, which is almost impossible given Russia's veto power on the Security Council.
National Assembly leaders also expressed concerns about U.S. involvement, pointing to what they described as Washington's damaged credibility after controversial actions in Venezuela.
The debate comes as Britain and France signed a declaration with Ukraine setting out plans to deploy forces and set up “military centers” after a peace deal – experts say it is one of the clearest written security assurances Kiev has received so far.
This also occurred a few days after a high-profile meeting in Paris during which allies from the so-called coalition of the willing – about 30 countries – worked to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump's peace envoys were present, which diplomats say is a sign that Washington still wants a seat at the table, even if it keeps its distance.
However, there is still no commitment from the United States to protect European soldiers in the event of a threat from Russia.
Germany is getting closer to deciding to take military action. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin may deploy “forces in NATO territory adjacent to Ukraine” after a ceasefire.
The coalition pledged to help build “defensive fortifications” in Ukraine and to participate in the United States' proposed post-ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, using drones, sensors and satellites to track Russian violations.
The group emphasized that Ukrainian forces will remain the “first line of defense and deterrence”, and coalition troops will mainly play a training role, not a combat one.
Kyiv is pressing
Meanwhile, Ukraine is not waiting. President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that his forces were expanding deep strike operations into Russian territory.
“It is still too early to talk publicly about some of the operations — those that have already been felt by the Russians,” Zelensky said. “Some operations are still ongoing. I have also approved new ones.”
“We are actively defending ourselves, and each loss for Russia brings the end of the war closer,” he added.
For now, Trump's claims of progress bear no resemblance to the fragile diplomatic situation – Europe is preparing for peace without the certainty of American support, and Washington is sending mixed signals.
— Everyone wants this war to end. The question is what order will follow after it ends and whether the United States will still be at its center, sums up one senior Western diplomat.
