Statements from European governments and major news outlets

Trump's Ukraine Peace Push Gains European Support Amid Putin's Escalation and Fears of Ukraine Losing Ground

Nov 17, 2024, 03:42 PM

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's push for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is finding growing acceptance among Europe's leaders, as officials believe an off-ramp to the conflict is increasingly necessary amid concerns that Ukraine may not sustain its position on the battlefield. The Wall Street Journal reports that European officials worry time is not on Ukraine's side as Russia gains ground and Ukraine faces challenges. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, the largest in recent months, targeting energy infrastructure and causing civilian casualties. Despite reports that Trump told Putin "don't escalate the war," these attacks suggest Putin did not heed the warning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a diplomatic resolution to the war in 2025 but insists on ending the conflict from a position of strength and is not ready to surrender to Russia. Zelensky hopes that Trump won’t force Ukraine into a humiliating settlement that hands victory to Moscow. Comparisons are being made to Trump's previous dealings with the Taliban, where the U.S. agreed to withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for vague promises, prompting concerns that Trump might pursue a similar strategy with Russia. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul questioned whether Trump will "repeat the same mistake in Ukraine with Putin."