Europe is afraid that Trump is preparing to abandon peace negotiations for Ukraine. “He offers himself apologies to withdraw”

European and Ukrainian officials are afraid that Donald Trump is about to abandon the peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow, being possible to use a righteous minor progress. “excuse” To claim that he has done his duty, according to informed sources on such discussions.

Europeans are afraid the US will withdraw from peace negotiations for Ukraine Photo Shutterstock

The US president was elected with the promise to conclude the war in “24 hours”, but his opening gestures to Vladimir Putin and the attempts to put pressure on the Ukrainian leadership failed to obtain support for his initial fire cessation for 30 days, let alone for a sustainable armistice.

After recent discussions with the American side, European and Ukrainian officials are convinced that Trump is ready to capitalize on any kind of progress this week – which marks his first 100 days in office – even if he is far from a long -term solution, four officials for the Financial Times said.

A European official said Trump “Creates a situation in which he offers himself apologies to withdraw and let the problem solve to Ukraine and ours [a Europei]”.

Putin's refusal to accept the essential requirements of the US and Ukraine, such as maintaining an Ukrainian army after the war, but also the complexity of the conflict, caused Trump to re-evaluate his commitment to a peace agreement, the sources said.

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, named this week on Sunday one “Criticism” For negotiations and suggested that Washington does not want to be drawn to a prolonged process.

The Russian president offered a three -day armistice on Monday, when Russia celebrates the Soviet victory of World War II – but did not hold on to previous promises to stop hostilities during Easter or on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Americans worry they don't get anything from discussions

American officials “They began to worry that they did not get anything from the discussions with Russia.” And they began to propose agreement ideas that will fit into Trump's accelerated calendar, a source close to negotiations said.

But Trump's efforts to end the war quickly were hit by Putin's refusal to accept terms that do not meet his maximalist requirements, such as “denazification” of Ukraine.

“There are people who believe that the Russians could go in Trump's hand.”said the source, but adding that “There is nothing concrete to make the plan work.” “Some elements are good in itself, but the problem is the rush with which they want to implement.”

At the weekend, Trump praised his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenski, with whom he met at the Vatican on Saturday, on the occasion of Pope Francis. Also criticized Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, saying it was “Surprised and disappointed.”

But some Ukrainian officials have told FT that they are afraid that the US president could abandon negotiations, one of them stating that he sees this as a “Real possibility”.

However, the spokesman of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhii Tîhi, described the meeting between the two presidents as “Constructive and positive”.

“Communication strategy”

After a public confrontation between Trump and Zelenski at the White House in February, Ukrainian officials said they felt a “dizziness” – Going from promising meetings to rapid disappointments after the return of American officials to Washington.

Kiev was initially encouraged by Trump's post on the Truth Social Platform, immediately after the Vatican meeting, in which Russia threatened with new sanctions to force him to the negotiation table.

But the next day, Secretary of State Rubio a “Subelic” This enthusiasm, saying that new commercial sanctions would only prolong the war.

“This will be a very important week, in which we must decide if we want to get involved in this initiative.”Rubio told NBC.

Heorhii Tîhi rejected these statements, saying that Ukraine interprets them “As part of a communication strategy.”

“It is clear that the US, at this time, as a mediator, is trying to force the parties [Ucraina și Rusia] To move towards peace, and this is the way we read these statements ”he said.

On Monday, Russia has tightened its conditions, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stating that Moscow considers “International recognition” of the annexation of the five Ukrainian regions as a “Imperative condition” for any agreement.

Europe and Kiev are preparing to go further without the US

All these developments have made some European capitals rethink their efforts “Keep involved [pe Trump]”said the first official, and decide “Let's do what's right, not what Trump wants.”

Kiev has discreetly prepared to go further on his own, anticipating a US withdrawal, by increasing domestic armament production and intensifying discussions with European allies on future support.

It is not clear whether the US would completely stop military support and information for Ukraine-as Trump did in March-if the White House would withdraw from diplomatic efforts, officials said.

“There are real fears in Ukraine that Trump could leave negotiations for an armistice.”told FT Oleksandr Merejko, a parliamentarian in Zelenski's party and the chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission in the Ukrainian Parliament.

“The worst thing that could happen in the US-Ukraine relationship would be that Trump will completely lose interest in Ukraine.”he added, saying that this “It could be perceived as little as a tacit permission from the US to climb the war.”