New U.S. Ukraine Policy Causes Tension in Europe

by pedro graterol

Trump’s second term sees swift alignment with Russia, sidelining Ukraine
and shaking Europe’s resolve on the ongoing conflict.

The first month of President Donald Trump’s second term has ushered in a dramatic reorientation of American policy on the war in Ukraine, rattling a Kyiv leadership already accustomed to walking a fine diplomatic line. Before Trump’s return to the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy worked diligently to maintain bipartisan support in Washington, mindful that the country’s fight to repel Russia depended heavily on American support. However, those efforts have been upended by a striking shift: the administration’s decision to conduct talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s involvement, a move that has sparked a crisis in the relationship between the U.S. and the Eastern European country.

Under former President Joe Biden, aid flowed steadily to bolster Ukraine’s defense. Now, Trump’s public statements suggest a push for an expedited resolution, with allegations that Zelenskyy is a “dictator without elections.” The president has argued that Ukraine “should have never started” the war, while also insisting he wants to “get our money back” for American support. Although Zelenskyy disputes Trump’s claim of a U.S. investment as high as $500 billion, the friction between the two leaders has escalated fears in Kyiv that the new administration may force concessions or reduce critical aid essential to maintain the country’s territorial integrity.

That anxiety has been magnified by the U.S. siding with Russia in two recent United Nations votes. Washington supported a Security Council resolution that avoided blaming Moscow for the invasion, prompting France and Britain to abstain rather than veto. European allies, who joined the General Assembly in condemning Russia, are expressing concern that any deal Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin broker could undercut Ukrainian sovereignty. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials warn that no legitimate peace settlement can be reached without their participation or robust guarantees against future Russian aggression.
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Some in Kyiv hope Trump’s overtures to Putin are part of a calculated strategy, and that ultimately the White House will not finalize an agreement detrimental to Ukraine. But Ukrainian parliamentarian Oleksandr Merezhko underscores the risk of decisions “concerning Ukraine” being made “behind our backs,” and many believe a vacuum in U.S.-Ukrainian communication could be filled by pro-Russian narratives. For now, Zelenskyy insists that Ukraine will not surrender, and civil society groups vow to keep fighting. Yet with negotiations poised to continue, there is widespread unease in Kyiv that Washington and Moscow may reach a deal that challenges Ukraine’s territorial integrity, leaving Zelenskyy and his allies in an increasingly precarious position.