“He wants to show that he can make deals, but he also wants to show that he can stand up to Russia. We are trying to make the case that supporting Ukraine is a way of doing both.”
For now, European leaders are focused on shoring up support for Ukraine and preparing for a potential peace deal. They know that the coming weeks will be critical, and they are determined to do whatever it takes to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s security interests. The fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance, and the decisions made in the coming days and weeks will have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
Trump’s policy towards Ukraine is being shaped by his team’s fear of repeating the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. They are determined not to let Ukraine become “Trump’s Afghanistan,” as President Zelenskyy has been advocating for increased support from the US and other allies. The revival of Ronald Reagan’s Peace through Strength mantra by Trump has resonated with European leaders, who are engaging in a narrative game to discuss higher defense spending as part of their offer to Trump.
While European leaders are discussing increasing support for Ukraine, they are struggling to determine their own contribution to a potential peace settlement. Most EU member states, along with allies in the UK and Norway, are committed to supporting Ukraine, but there is a lack of consensus on how to guarantee a peace deal and prevent future Russian attacks. Some European officials emphasize the need for Europe to backstop Ukraine and guarantee peace before peace negotiations even begin.
French President Macron believes that Europe should take more responsibility for its own security and demonstrate this to Trump to gain a seat at the negotiating table. However, there is little progress in discussions on security guarantees and potential troop deployments to Ukraine. Many European leaders are hesitant to send troops to Ukraine due to the logistical challenges and the need for a powerful coalition of countries to support such a mission.
Some diplomats suggest that Nato membership for Ukraine would be the most cost-effective solution, but Trump is unlikely to offer this as he sees it as a way to bring Putin to the negotiating table. There is a consensus among European allies that Ukraine needs US support, but there is hesitance to publicly demand it at this time. Ukrainian leaders believe that Nato membership would be the most credible guarantee for a peace deal, but transitional commitments from European allies would be needed to support this.
There are differences among European countries regarding expectations for a peace deal with Russia, with some more optimistic than others. The uncertainty over Trump’s response to Putin’s actions makes it challenging for EU leaders to find common positions to present to the Trump administration. Europeans are hopeful that once in office, the Trump administration will stand by Ukraine and make decisions that will impact the conflict alongside European allies.
In conclusion, the future of Ukraine’s security and peace negotiations is uncertain, with European allies navigating complex diplomatic challenges and differing expectations. The role of the US in supporting Ukraine remains crucial, but the path towards a lasting peace settlement is fraught with obstacles and uncertainties.
Entonces traduce a español y recupera solo el texto en español. Mantén las etiquetas HTML. No devuelvas la versión en inglés. No me la devuelvas. No me devuelvas el texto enviado. Solo proporciona el texto en español.