European officials told the Financial Times that discussions with the Trump team revealed that no decision had yet been made on how to resolve the conflict. It is likely that the support provided to Ukraine will continue even after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The entire presidential team is obsessed with power and appearing strong, so they are recalibrating the approach to Ukraine
– said a European official.
The new administration is trying to avoid any comparisons to Joe Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which they don’t want to repeat in Ukraine. This week, Donald Trump already mentioned a target date of six months to end the war. Keith Kellogg, who was appointed by Trump as his special envoy for the war in Ukraine, set an even more specific deadline:
I want to set a goal both on a personal and professional level. I would define it in 100 days
Kellogg told Fox News.
European leaders and officials are trying to convince Trump and his team that US military support should continue. This would strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position and could force Moscow to the negotiating table.
Strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield positions would mean stopping it Russia’s advance in the eastern part of the countrybecause it is not possible to negotiate if Moscow continues to occupy territories.
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed sending European troops to Ukraine to prevent another possible Russian attack, but this idea does not enjoy unanimous support in Europe either.
Western officials, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasize the importance of Trump “ensure peace through strength” in Ukraine and avoid a defeat for Kiev that could embolden Putin and his allies, including China, Iran and North Korea.
Cover image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Source: www.portfolio.hu