In the news
On 19 February, following the meeting in Riyadh on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, US President Donald Trump criticised Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump stated that Ukraine “should have never started” the war and could have stricken a deal instead of mishandling the US aid. In response, Zelenskyy countered Trump’s statement on Ukraine starting the war and said: “I would like to see more truth from the Trump team…I am counting on the unity of Europe and the pragmatism of America”

On the same day, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “Recent developments and this different view of things from the United States now oblige us not only to face the truth, but to move at a very high speed and implement decisions that we have been discussing for long.”

On 18 February, Russia’s government and the US government began talks in Saudi Arabia over ending the war in Ukraine. Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov representing Russia at the negotiations stated Trump’s efforts as a positive shift for US-Russia relations and a positive development to engage in a dialogue. He added: The US had “started to better understand our positions.”

On the same day, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio who is negotiating for the US said: “The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that's fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved.”

On 17 February, the emergency summit hosted by the French government to shore support for Ukraine amid Trump’s attempts to negotiate with Russia only showcased the gap in European unity. Leaders from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Nordic and the Baltic took part however, no concrete support plan for Ukraine was reached. France’s President Emmanuel Macron said: “There is now a necessity for Europeans to do more, better and in a coherent way, for our collective security.”

On 15 February, Zelenskyy called for the creation of an “armed forces of Europe” during his speech at the MSC.  The Ukrainian President also stated that the US could no longer be trusted to come to the defence of Europe.

On 14 February, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen warned at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) that Ukraine's failure would weaken both Europe and the US. Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock stated that Europe faced an existential moment and needed to unite for a meaningful peace.

Issues at large
First, Trump’s push for a Ukraine deal. During the presidential election campaign in 2024, Trump stressed to end the Ukraine war quickly. He is observed to be willing to negotiate with Putin, agree to Russian demands, especially after his phone call with Putin, he reiterated to end the war. The US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth stated it was unrealistic to expect Ukraine to return to its borders before the war began in 2014, or for Ukraine to become a member of NATO. According to a leaked 100-day US peace plan, the Trump administration expects the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Kursk Oblast and for Kyiv to recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied territories.

Second, the trans-Atlantic divide and Europe’s internal fault lines over Ukraine endgame. Several discussions have been held in the past year to unite Europe’s efforts to support Ukraine. While, Trump’s overtures towards Putin and willingness to negotiate have shocked European leaders. The new president in the US now wants to look inward on domestic issues and cut its external losses resulting in tariffs and claims to acquire Greenland. Trump’s recent actions reflect a clear departure from the, then shared common goal of aiding Ukraine until victory with Europe. However, the larger issue, Europe has to now contend with is the divide within on Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia’s governments opposing further aid for Ukraine, and the gradual rise of the right across Europe has further rifted the unity for Ukraine. This can be seen on the support for Trump to end the war, pointing to the lack of an EU mandate for a ceasefire in Ukraine and not inviting all European countries for the Paris Summit. The difference over sending of troops to Ukraine was also divided within Europe. Since France started the idea in 2024 to send peacekeeping forces, was supported by the UK and Sweden but was opposed by the Netherlands and Poland while Germany also failed to give a clear stance. Increasing the defence spending is also a key factor where Portugal, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg and Slovenia continue to fall short of two per cent expenditure threshold of NATO and call to increase will have an impact on domestic politics.

Third, the Trump-Zelenskyy war of words. On Ukraine's exclusion from the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy stated Trump was living in a disinformation space. Trump angrily reacted to the criticism, calling Zelenskyy a "dictator." Trump also criticised Zelenskyy for delaying the elections, and accused him of breaking a deal over rare earth minerals with the US. Previously, US Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent visited Ukraine, offering an agreement wherein Washington would gain access to 50 per cent of the rare earth materials present in Ukraine in exchange for continued military aid. However, the proposed agreement was rejected by Zelenskyy for not offering security guarantees.  Despite the recent criticism from Trump, Zelenskyy attempted to reach out to the US. Before a meeting with the US Special Advisor for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of maintaining constructive cooperation with the US. He also stated that a secure peace could be achieved only with the cooperation of the US and Europe.
 
In perspective
First, Europe’s quandary in the Ukraine war. The consecutive summits held amongst the European leaders have neither helped lay a clear path to approach the war in Ukraine post-Trump nor has helped plan to fill the gap in Europe’s security. Both in sending weapons and troops into Ukraine, Europe stands torn as political shift and economic stress sets in. Europe’s dilemma and widening differences with the US towards Ukraine have given way for the Trump administration to dominate the negotiation process which considerably seems to end in favour of Russia.

Second, Trump’s objective to force-end the war. Trump’s efforts in Saudi Arabia indicate the rush to end the conflict however it is uncertain if the deal would favour Ukraine in any way. The exchange of rare earths between the US, and Ukraine and the Kursk region does not provide a stronger base for Ukraine to demand against Russia’s Donbas dream. The predicted Trump peace deal does not promise the end of Russian aggression in the region as well.