For months, President Trump has indicated a willingness to abandon negotiations for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. Following a phone call on Monday with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, it appears he is moving in that direction. This raises concerns about the future of America’s support for Ukraine, a democracy that Trump has previously criticized.
After his conversation with Putin, Trump informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders that Russia and Ukraine would need to resolve the conflict independently. This shift comes just days after he claimed that only he and Putin could broker a deal. Trump also retreated from threats to join a European campaign for new sanctions against Russia, according to six officials familiar with the discussions.
This development suggests a significant change in Trump's approach to the peace process, which he had previously claimed he could resolve in 24 hours. If he does not reverse his stance, it may leave Putin with reduced American pressure and create divisions within NATO, particularly between the U.S. and its European allies, who intend to proceed with sanctions regardless.
Critics have pointed to Trump's past interactions with Zelensky and the resignation of the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv as indicators of this shift. Bridget A. Brink, the former ambassador, criticized the administration's policy of pressuring Ukraine rather than Russia, stating that "peace at any price is not peace at all — it is appeasement."
Despite Trump's efforts to negotiate, including demands that Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and territorial claims, he has struggled to achieve a cease-fire. A White House official noted that additional sanctions could hinder business opportunities, which Trump prioritizes for American economic interests.
American officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have defended the existing sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that they remain in place and that Ukraine continues to receive military support from the U.S. and its allies. Rubio asserted that Trump is attempting to end a conflict that neither side can win.
However, the underlying message from Trump’s recent communications suggests a diminishing commitment to diplomatic efforts, arms support, and sanctions against Russia. Several European leaders interpreted his call as a signal that the U.S. would not join them in imposing further financial pressure on Putin.
Previously, Trump had threatened sanctions if Russia did not agree to a cease-fire, but following his call with Putin, he did not follow through on those threats. While he suggested a possible breakthrough from the conversation, it became evident to Ukrainian and European leaders that Putin had made no concessions.
Trump's earlier claims of being able to resolve the conflict quickly have proven overly optimistic, leading him to express frustration and consider withdrawing from negotiations. He indicated a desire to shift focus towards business opportunities with Russia, stating that the conditions for ending the war would need to be negotiated directly between the parties involved.
Trump has expressed interest in normalizing relations with Russia, seeing potential for economic collaboration post-conflict. However, it remains unclear what this normalization would entail, especially given his previous withdrawal from key arms control treaties.
As Europe moves forward with new sanctions against Russia in response to ongoing aggression, the U.S. appears to be taking a different approach, potentially fostering a rift within NATO that Putin has long sought to exploit.
On Tuesday, the British government announced new sanctions targeting Russia's military and financial sectors, condemning Putin's actions as warmongering. The announcement did not mention the U.S. but noted that the European Union is preparing further sanctions against Russia.
A senior European official indicated that Trump's reluctance to engage in sanctions against Russia has been evident, suggesting that his threats were largely performative. The divergence in American and European support for Ukraine is expected to be a focal point at upcoming summits, including the Group of 7 and NATO meetings, where long-term strategies for Ukraine and responses to Russian aggression will be discussed.