“Ukraine’s European allies have expressed cautious optimism that the 47th US President-elect, Donald Trump, will not force official Kyiv into premature negotiations with the aggressor state, Russia.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Ukraine’s European allies have expressed cautious optimism that the 47th US President-elect, Donald Trump, will not force official Kyiv into premature negotiations with the aggressor state, Russia.
Source: Bloomberg, with reference to European officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, reports “European Truth”
Details: As noted by officials familiar with the content of the closed-door negotiations, the transatlantic partners expressed their support for continued support for Ukraine.
The exchange, they say, opens up the prospect that a new administration could help return war-torn Ukraine to a position of strength before any talks take place.
But those who have held private talks caution that they don’t know what the new president, who has a track record of rejecting advice or switching gears at the last minute, will do.
According to the Europeans, Trump’s representatives were receptive to two arguments: that the new US leader risks a humiliation comparable to President Joe Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan if he cuts ties with Kiev – and that if Russia is allowed to achieve such a victory, it will only push China to act more aggressively.
A week before the 47th president is sworn in, it’s still unclear how Trump will handle the war, which is approaching the three-year mark. Planners on Trump’s team have floated several ideas, but European and Ukrainian officials say there is no plan for Ukraine that could be implemented after the Jan. 20 inauguration.
But the talks sparked a sense of cautious relief in European capitals, where officials played out worst-case scenarios if Trump follows through on his promise to end the war quickly — and perhaps strike a deal that benefits Russia.
Trump has already managed to surprise many leaders, because he asked reasonable questions about the war during meetings and calls with Europeans, European officials note.
Trump has expressed interest in overseeing a deal on Ukraine, according to people familiar with the conversations. He also criticized Putin’s behavior even as he tried to open a channel of communication with the Russian leader.
However, according to the interlocutors, the newly elected president gives the impression that he is not too concerned about the fate of Ukraine or does not recognize the strategic importance of the war for the interests of the United States.
European capitals are increasingly convinced that an agreement to end the war will appear in the foreseeable future. They hope that increased sanctions against Moscow and continued military support for Kyiv will lead to economic and military losses for Russia and open the way to negotiations for Ukraine.
Despite the anti-Ukraine campaign rhetoric, Trump’s team is aware of what failure in the war could mean, especially with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, some officials said.
They say that when it comes to finding a solution, there is an understanding that any agreement in one form or another must include security guarantees for Kyiv. That will inevitably lead to heated debate over whether to send in US troops if Ukraine is attacked after the ceasefire, a key element in securing European support, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Keith Kellogg, who was formerly the national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, suggested maintaining the level of aid to Ukraine so that it could negotiate from a position of strength. He outlined a potential deal that would freeze the current front line and create a demilitarized zone, postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership “for a long period of time.”
According to European officials, the issue of Ukraine’s membership in NATO, the refusal of which is one of Russia’s main demands, is unlikely to advance with Trump. However, the Europeans want this issue to remain on the negotiating table, they said.
Prehistory:
- Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Maloni said that she does not expect that the elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, will “give up” on Ukraine.
- Donald Trump previously assured that he “will not leave Ukraine” in his attempts to settle the Russian-Ukrainian war.
- Instead, the EU says they are ready to take over leading role in helping Ukraine in the absence of US support.