European leaders expressed concern following a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on May 19. Trump’s response to the Kremlin dialogue caused unpleasant surprise among US partners in Europe, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Financial Times.
The US president shared the content of his conversation with Putin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and the President of the European Commission. FT sources claim that European leaders were disappointed by Trump’s approach to the Russian president and the lack of stronger pressure from Washington.
The source noted that Trump showed no readiness to demand a more serious commitment from Putin in the negotiation process. European capitals fear that the former US president might reach an agreement with Moscow that satisfies the Kremlin’s maximalist demands and contradicts Ukraine’s interests.
After the call with Putin, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia would “immediately” begin negotiations on a ceasefire. However, he did not mention the administration’s demand for an unconditional ceasefire, which Putin had openly rejected. There was also no mention of potential sanction pressures if Moscow made concessions. Immediately afterward, Trump held an hour-long conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Earlier we wrote that US to impose new sanctions on Russia.