Newly elected US President Donald Trump sent a signal to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, hinting that he might have to accept an unfavorable condition.
This was reported by El Pais.
There are no specifics about peace talks yet, but Trump could change the situation, and possibly create risks for Ukraine and the EU if an agreement is reached that is inconvenient for them.
Kyiv is demanding security guarantees from Western countries, the main one being NATO membership, but European leaders are considering other options, such as the introduction of peacekeepers, along with arms supplies and US defense support.
“The war will end at the negotiating table, perhaps sooner than we expect. Europe must be prepared for this and demand a place at that table,” said an anonymous senior European official.
According to the publication, many have no doubt that any agreement reached now will most likely mean the loss of territories for Ukraine or the freezing of their status for a long period. There will be a big discussion in the coming months about what guarantees must be offered to Kyiv in order for it to agree to an agreement.
There is no unity in Europe yet, but some capitals and diplomatic circles are considering various options. Luis Simon, director of the Brussels office of the Royal Elcano Institute, proposed two possible alternatives: the deployment of only EU troops, but under the US umbrella, or an agreement to exclude Ukraine from NATO membership, but with guarantees from the US and leading European countries.
“NATO membership must remain a priority for Europe. Although there are less reliable, but politically more viable options,” Simon emphasized.
According to media reports, Trump sent Zelensky a message from his golf club in Florida. In it, he called for people to start thinking about a ceasefire and giving up the occupied territories.
“Saying they want their land back is one thing, but the cities are basically destroyed. When you say ‘take back the country’… Take back what? That’s 110 years of rebuilding,” Trump said.
Several European sources said they did not perceive Trump’s signals as negative. He, they say, strives for peace, but from a position of strength, emphasizing his determination.
“Trump has not yet made a final decision, sometimes he expresses one position and sometimes another. Therefore, it is important to move forward and send clear messages,” a Ukrainian government source explained.
Discussions about possible negotiations or security guarantees have not yet been conducted publicly, since no one wants Russian President Vladimir Putin to understand that the situation in Europe is changing. NATO leaders say discussions are currently focused on what a Ukrainian victory should look like, and the decision will be made by Kyiv. Next, peace conditions will be considered, including the possible introduction of peacekeeping troops.
“The main goal now is to provide Ukraine with weapons and additional resources so that it will be in a strong position if peace talks begin. Ukraine needs to be turned into a strengthened, unstoppable force to contain the Kremlin,” the sources said.
On December 18, the NATO Secretary General summoned Zelensky and representatives of seven allied countries (Germany, Italy, Poland, Denmark, France, Great Britain and the Netherlands) to discuss military assistance. However, no consensus was reached on more ambitious policies. In addition, it is reported that the EU’s weapons stockpile is depleted, industry needs stimulation and budgets are tight.
Peace talks are not yet predicted, but the arrival of Trump could change the situation, creating risks for Ukraine and the EU if an agreement is reached that is inconvenient for them. Kyiv is demanding security guarantees from Western countries, the main one being NATO membership, but European leaders are considering other options, such as the introduction of peacekeepers, along with arms supplies and US defense support.
“The war will end at the negotiating table, perhaps sooner than we expect. Europe must be prepared for this and demand a place at that table,” said an anonymous senior European official.
According to the publication, many have no doubt that any agreement reached now will most likely mean the loss of territories for Ukraine or the freezing of their status for a long period. There will be a big discussion in the coming months about what guarantees must be offered to Kyiv in order for it to agree to an agreement.
There is no unity in Europe yet, but some capitals and diplomatic circles are considering various options. Luis Simon, director of the Brussels office of the Royal Elcano Institute, proposed two possible alternatives: the deployment of only EU troops, but under the US umbrella, or an agreement to exclude Ukraine from NATO membership, but with guarantees from the US and leading European countries.
“NATO membership must remain a priority for Europe. Although there are less reliable, but politically more viable options,” Simon emphasized.
According to media reports, Trump sent Zelensky a message from his golf club in Florida. In it, he called for people to start thinking about a ceasefire and giving up the occupied territories.
“Saying they want their land back is one thing, but the cities are basically destroyed. When you say ‘take back the country’… Take back what? That’s 110 years of rebuilding,” Trump said.
Several European sources said they did not perceive Trump’s signals as negative. He, they say, strives for peace, but from a position of strength, emphasizing his determination.
“Trump has not yet made a final decision, sometimes he expresses one position and sometimes another. Therefore, it is important to move forward and send clear messages,” a Ukrainian government source explained.
Discussions about possible negotiations or security guarantees have not yet been conducted publicly, since no one wants Russian President Vladimir Putin to understand that the situation in Europe is changing. NATO leaders say discussions are currently focused on what a Ukrainian victory should look like, and the decision will be made by Kyiv. Next, peace conditions will be considered, including the possible introduction of peacekeeping troops.
“The main goal now is to provide Ukraine with weapons and additional resources so that it will be in a strong position if peace negotiations begin. Ukraine needs to be turned into a strengthened, unstoppable force to contain the Kremlin,” the sources said.