European officials have expressed growing concern following a May 19 conference call with President Trump, during which he indicated his reluctance to challenge Russia’s position in Ukraine or implement additional sanctions against Moscow. According to senior European officials familiar with the discussion, Trump conveyed to allied leaders that Putin believes he has the upper hand in the conflict and therefore sees no reason to pursue peace negotiations.
The conversation included prominent European figures such as Emmanuel Macron of France, Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Alexander Stubb of Finland, Friedrich Merz of Germany, along with EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump reportedly stated that the resolution of the conflict should be left to Russia and Ukraine, describing it as “not my problem.”
This revelation, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, marks a significant departure from Trump’s previous public statements suggesting Putin was genuinely interested in peace. The disclosure has heightened tensions with European allies, who had hoped Trump would increase support for Ukraine’s position. However, Trump has remained firm in his stance against escalation, aligning with both his voter base and broader American public opinion.
The White House has consistently maintained that Putin is sincere about peace negotiations, countering accusations from Kiev that Russia is using diplomatic talks as a delaying tactic while making gradual military advances and weakening Ukrainian defenses. European leaders and Kiev have pressed for increased support and stronger measures against Russia, but Trump has rejected this approach.
According to officials present during the call, Trump opened by stating his belief that “Vladimir does not want peace.” However, this acknowledgment hasn’t led to any shift toward the more aggressive stance that European leaders and Zelensky have been advocating for. The Europeans noted Trump’s apparent satisfaction with his
communications with Putin through their phone conversations.
A particularly notable moment came when European participants insisted on an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump expressed disapproval of the term “unconditional,” despite having used it himself in a May 8 Truth Social post calling for a 30-day ceasefire. The European leaders ultimately agreed to drop the term from their demands.
The situation reflects Trump’s pragmatic understanding of the negotiation dynamics, recognizing Russia’s stronger position and Ukraine’s limited leverage. It’s become increasingly clear that Putin will not accept any peace agreement that doesn’t secure Russian control over the eastern Russian-speaking territories and Crimea. Furthermore, Moscow has consistently opposed any settlement that would allow NATO military infrastructure near its borders, with Putin warning that such arrangements would only lead to future conflicts.
While mainstream media outlets have characterized Trump’s approach as sympathetic to the Kremlin, his position appears to stem from a realistic assessment of Russia’s perspective and the West’s limited options for intervention without risking nuclear confrontation. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play and the challenges of finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s stance has created a clear divide between his administration and European allies, who continue to push for a more confrontational approach toward Russia. However, his position reflects a broader recognition of the practical limitations in influencing the conflict’s outcome without dangerous escalation.