European leaders expressed concern following a briefing by U.S. President Donald Trump on his latest conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid growing fears in European capitals that Washington may be stepping back from its role in mediating an end to the war in Ukraine.
According to Financial Times sources, Trump spoke by phone with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following a two-hour call with Putin earlier on 19 May. He also held a separate call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During these briefings, Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations. However, European officials were reportedly “unpleasantly surprised” by both the tone and substance of Trump’s comments, which they interpreted as a signal that the U.S. would no longer play an active mediating role.
Trump wrote on his TruthSocial platform that the “conditions” of any ceasefire would be determined solely by the two parties, stating: “They know the details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.” He described his conversation with Putin as having an “excellent tone and spirit,” but made no reference to potential sanctions or pressure on Moscow should it fail to de-escalate.
This apparent retreat from mediation marks a significant shift from Trump’s earlier claim, made during his re-election campaign, that he could end the war on “day one.” The move has raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies, who see continued U.S. involvement as essential leverage in dealing with the Kremlin.
Officials in Kyiv and several European capitals fear that Trump may be willing to accept an agreement with Putin on terms favourable to Moscow — possibly accommodating Russian territorial claims or security demands — without securing corresponding concessions or guarantees for Ukraine.
Speaking after his call with Trump, President Zelenskyy confirmed that he had urged the U.S. to maintain sanctions pressure and to remain engaged in the negotiation process. “It is crucial for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from that is Putin,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine would not accept any settlement requiring withdrawal from its own territory, stating: “Trump thinks Russia is ready for negotiations and for compromises. But we will see… If Russia sets conditions for us to withdraw from our own land, that means they don’t want [a] ceasefire and end of the war.”
A more direct warning came from Ukrainian MP Iryna Gerashchenko, who described the proposed bilateral talks without third-party guarantees as “a trap,” arguing that such a format plays into Moscow’s strategy to stall negotiations and prolong the war.
Putin, for his part, has made only a limited commitment to explore a “memorandum” on peace talks. According to Russian state media, he has not agreed to Ukraine’s longstanding demand that negotiations begin only after a verified ceasefire is in place.
European leaders, while issuing statements in support of Ukraine, now appear to be preparing for a scenario in which the United States withdraws further from the process. Several capitals are reportedly reviewing options to enhance their own sanctions regimes and bolster military assistance to Kyiv.
Vice President JD Vance hinted earlier in the day that Washington could indeed walk away from its diplomatic role if progress remained elusive. Speaking aboard Air Force Two, Vance said: “The United States is not going to spin its wheels here. We want to see outcomes.”
Trump’s disengagement also comes as last week’s talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian officials yielded little progress. Putin declined to attend, while Zelenskyy travelled to Ankara in an effort to revive face-to-face diplomacy.
Although Trump acknowledged after a recent meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome that Putin “could be tapping him along,” he has so far resisted reintroducing or escalating sanctions. During a tour of the Middle East last week, Trump appeared to accept Putin’s claim that he would only negotiate directly with the U.S. president.
The White House has recently signed a joint economic agreement with Ukraine, establishing a long-term investment fund intended to support reconstruction and deter future Russian aggression. Yet the shift in tone from the U.S. administration, and the absence of new punitive measures against Moscow, suggest a diminished appetite in Washington to drive a negotiated settlement on firm Western terms.
With NATO’s annual summit fast approaching in July, the divergence between Washington and its European allies may further complicate the alliance’s response to the ongoing conflict. For now, EU capitals are left to assess the implications of an increasingly unpredictable U.S. stance — and how to respond if Trump chooses to stand aside.
Read also:
Putin’s Absence from Istanbul Talks Triggers EU Push for Harsh Economic Measures
