Trump's harsher tone on Zelensky alarms European officials, diplomats say
European officials fear Trump's shift against Ukraine's president could let Russia gain the upper hand in peace negotiations, diplomats say.
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US President Donald Trump has sharpened his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in recent days, saying the United States has had only grief from Ukraine, according to Sky News. European officials and diplomats said the shift raises the risk that Russian President Vladimir Putin could come out ahead in efforts to end the war, Srpskainfo reported.
In comments carried by Srpskainfo, Trump said Russia had been reasonable over Ukraine and had not done much wrong, while Zelensky could have ended the war or struck a deal many times over. He added that Putin wanted a solution, the outlet reported.
The Telegraph quoted Zelensky as saying: "Trump should talk about Putin the way he talks about me." Kyiv Post reported separately that Zelensky warned Trump could force Putin to negotiate, but that Ukraine risked losing more than two cities if no deal was reached.
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Zelensky and the leaders of Norway and Finland in Oslo on Tuesday to discuss a possible end to the war, according to Srpskainfo. He travelled to St Petersburg the following day for talks with Russian officials on peace proposals, while the White House pushed for a ceasefire, the outlet said. One option under consideration is a trilateral summit involving Trump, Zelensky and Putin, though earlier attempts to bring Putin to such a meeting have failed, Srpskainfo reported.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament on Tuesday that American negotiators have tried for almost two years to push Ukraine toward surrender, Srpskainfo reported. She said Ukraine had not accepted Putin's terms so far only because of substantial support from Europe.
Former British minister David Lidington, now at the Royal United Services Institute, said Trump's approach was partly personal, pointing to his sympathy for authoritarian leaders and his interest in new business for American companies, according to Srpskainfo. EU diplomats cited anonymously by the outlet said Putin does not genuinely want a ceasefire, and that Europe would have to force him into peace.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Srpskainfo said.
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What we know
- 1 outlet · Srpskainfo Trump said the US had only had grief from Ukraine, and praised Russia's conduct, according to Srpskainfo.
- 1 outlet · The Telegraph Zelensky told the Telegraph: "Trump should talk about Putin the way he talks about me."
- 1 outlet · Srpskainfo Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met Zelensky, Norway's and Finland's leaders in Oslo on Tuesday, then held talks in St Petersburg with Russian officials on Wednesday, Srpskainfo reported.
- 1 outlet · Srpskainfo EU's Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that US negotiators have tried for nearly two years to push Ukraine toward surrender.
- 1 outlet · Srpskainfo A trilateral summit involving Trump, Zelensky and Putin is one option being considered, though earlier attempts to bring Putin to the table have failed.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed Whether Trump's harder line toward Zelensky reflects a lasting shift in US policy, as one unnamed EU diplomat suggested he could change course again.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
For Kyiv, the shift matters because Ukraine already lacks resources and after more than four and a half years of war, Srpskainfo reported. Growing support for populist right-wing parties in parts of Europe could also cost Ukraine some of its political backing in the months ahead, the outlet said.
EU diplomats said there is broad agreement across Europe that Putin does not want peace and will have to be pressured into it, rather than Trump pressuring Zelensky instead, according to Srpskainfo. One diplomat said Washington increasingly appeared to be siding with Moscow in the dispute.
Sources
Reported by 3 reports from 3 independent outlets in 1 countries.
- Srpskainfo: Tramp sve više okreće leđa Zelenskom: Evropski zvaničnici strahuju da će Putin izvući najveću korist iz pregovora o miru
- Kyiv Post: Trump Could Force Putin to Negotiate, Zelensky Says, Warning Ukraine Risks Losing More Than 2 Cities
- The Telegraph: Zelensky: Trump should talk about Putin the way he talks about me
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- What did Trump say about Ukraine?
- He said the US has had only grief from Ukraine and praised Russia's conduct, according to Srpskainfo, while repeating criticism of Zelensky.
- What is Zelensky's response?
- He told the Telegraph that Trump should talk about Putin the way he talks about him, and told Kyiv Post that Trump could force Putin to negotiate.
- What diplomacy is under way?
- Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Ukrainian, Norwegian and Finnish leaders in Oslo, then travelled to St Petersburg for talks with Russian officials, Srpskainfo reported.
This article was written with AI assistance from 3 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.