The White House’s latest diplomatic push with Russia has fallen flat, leaving European leaders frustrated and questioning President Trump’s commitment to solving the Ukraine crisis.
Diplomatic efforts this week aimed to revive talks between Ukraine and Russia, but the outcome was far from satisfactory. Despite the involvement of top European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Russia rejected key demands for an immediate ceasefire and proposed a minimalist peace offering with maximalist demands.
The situation has been further complicated by US President Trump’s reluctance to pressure Putin directly, instead opting for a bilateral meeting that may not yield results. The White House benefits from Russia’s cautious approach, allowing Trump to appear as a mediator while yielding no ground.
Former Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink resigned in January, citing the administration’s policy of putting pressure on Ukraine rather than Russia. She warned that appeasement does not lead to safety or prosperity and that history has shown it only leads to more war and suffering.
The stalled diplomacy leaves Ukraine still waiting for a concrete ceasefire, and experts warn that an eventual summit between Trump and Putin may reset the clock on diplomacy, leaving Ukraine back at square one. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains unclear whether Trump’s soft approach will ultimately convince Russia to change its stance.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/16/europe/ukraine-russia-talks-npw-analysis-intl