[WORLD] President Donald Trump privately informed European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not prepared to end the war in Ukraine, as he believes he is winning on the battlefield. The admission, relayed during a Monday conference call with leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, marks a significant departure from Trump’s previous public statements and has reverberated across European capitals.
A Stark Private Message Contrasts With Public Rhetoric
While Trump has often claimed publicly that Putin is open to peace, his private acknowledgment to European allies painted a different picture. According to sources familiar with the call, Trump stated that Putin sees himself as prevailing in the conflict and, therefore, has no incentive to negotiate an end to hostilities. This message, though long suspected by European leaders, was the first time Trump had delivered it so directly.
The conversation reportedly clarified for all parties, including Trump, that Putin remains unwilling to halt the war at this stage. Despite the candor, Trump did not endorse tougher measures against Moscow, such as new sanctions. Instead, he proposed restarting lower-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting the Vatican as a possible venue, with talks expected to begin in mid-June.
European Leaders Left Stunned and Disappointed
The reaction among European leaders was one of surprise and frustration. Many had hoped Trump would use the call to pressure Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire or face additional penalties. Instead, Trump’s reluctance to back sanctions and his suggestion that Europe should take the lead left some officials “shocked” and concerned about the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
“Some of the leaders on the call were shocked,” said one source briefed on the discussion. Ukrainian President Zelensky and other European leaders had urged Trump to demand an immediate ceasefire and threaten new sanctions if Russia refused, but Trump pushed back, stating he did not think sanctions were a good idea at this stage.
A Shift Toward European Responsibility
Trump’s stance has signaled a potential shift in the transatlantic approach to the Ukraine conflict. By declaring that Russia and Ukraine should resolve the war independently and stepping back from direct U.S. involvement, Trump has placed greater responsibility on European nations to support Kyiv—both militarily and diplomatically.
European officials now believe they must shoulder more of the burden in supporting Ukraine, with some advocating for increased sanctions and military aid regardless of U.S. participation. “Europe must take responsibility and lead the way—impose sanctions on Russia, supply weapons to Ukraine, and offer a concrete peace plan,” said a senior European analyst.
Putin’s Calculus: Playing for Time
Analysts and officials across the West interpret Putin’s stance as a deliberate strategy to prolong the conflict and extract further gains. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius commented that Putin is “playing for time” and is not genuinely interested in peace, a view echoed by other European policymakers.
Despite vague references to a “memorandum on a possible peace agreement,” Western officials remain skeptical of Moscow’s intentions, seeing the gestures as stalling tactics rather than meaningful steps toward a resolution.
U.S. Policy in Flux: From Pressure to Engagement
Trump’s approach to the Ukraine war has shifted over recent months. While he initially threatened Russia with tougher sanctions if it failed to agree to a ceasefire, he has since retreated from that position, now emphasizing potential economic collaboration with Russia if the war ends. Trump has also suggested that, unless progress is made, the U.S. might withdraw from the peace process altogether.
This evolving policy has unsettled both Ukraine and its allies, who worry that America’s reduced engagement could embolden Russia and undermine Western unity. Former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle criticized Trump’s lack of leverage over Putin, arguing that only increased sanctions, military aid, and the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine could force Moscow to negotiate seriously.
The Road Ahead: European Unity and Uncertainty
In the wake of Trump’s disclosures, European leaders are reassessing their strategies. While some see an opportunity for Europe to play a more assertive role, others fear that the lack of U.S. leadership could weaken the West’s position and prolong the conflict.
As negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are set to resume, expectations for a breakthrough remain low. Putin’s belief in his military advantage and Trump’s apparent willingness to step back have created an environment of uncertainty for Ukraine and its supporters.
President Trump’s private admission that Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war in Ukraine has upended diplomatic expectations and forced European leaders to confront the prospect of a diminished U.S. role in the conflict. As the war grinds on, the burden of supporting Ukraine may increasingly fall on Europe, while Russia appears content to play for time—confident that the West’s unity is wavering and that victory remains within reach.
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