Europeans fear Trump favours Putin over Zelenskyy
EU officials and diplomats believe US President Donald Trump's personal dislike of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hampering efforts to reach a fair peace in the war in Ukraine. This week Trump said Russia had been "fine" on Ukraine.
After 20 months of upheaval in transatlantic relations, European officials increasingly fear that US President Donald Trump's attitude toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is shaping Washington's stance in peace talks over the war in Ukraine. This week Trump said that "Russia frankly has been fine on Ukraine" and "has not been doing that much." The remark reinforced an impression in Europe that the US is siding with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told the European Parliament on Tuesday that American negotiators have spent almost two years trying to push Ukraine into surrender. In her view, Ukraine has not yet "surrendered on Putin's terms" because Europe has provided substantial support.
A personal factor
David Lidington, a former British Cabinet minister and now a distinguished fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a leading London security think tank, said he believes it is a personal matter. He pointed to Trump's affinity for autocrats and his wish to create opportunities for US businesses. Lidington recalled a 2019 incident in which Trump urged Zelenskyy to help with an investigation into Joe Biden, and the February 2025 Oval Office meeting. Unnamed EU officials also say privately that Trump simply does not like Zelenskyy. A senior official from a European country added domestic politics: the US is in an election cycle and needs someone to blame for rising prices.
In recent days Trump has said Zelenskyy "doesn't care," "doesn't want to end this war" and should be replaced. He said Putin would like a settlement.
Situation in Ukraine and talks
After four and a half years of war, Kyiv is short of funding and air defences. Zelenskyy has said that US cutbacks, including Starlink and Starshield services, are leading to more civilian casualties, and that Patriot interceptors are running low. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported 328 civilians killed and more than 2,000 wounded last month, an 85% rise from September 2025.
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Zelenskyy and the leaders of Norway and Finland in Oslo on Tuesday, and is due in St. Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss peace proposals with Russia's leadership. Putin will be offered a three-way summit. Finland's President Alexander Stubb said after the Oslo talks that the process is back on track.
