A high-stakes transatlantic miscommunication is unfolding over the future of Ukraine. The Trump administration has delivered several conflicting messages to America’s allies in Europe, making it challenging for Ukrainian and European leaders to discern a clear stance.
The US will either broker an end to the war in Ukraine or remove itself from the conflict unless Russia deems it obstructed a ceasefire. However, this approach raises concerns among European leaders that the US is aligning with Vladimir Putin and preparing to abandon Ukraine.
Some European leaders hope to convince Trump to make a major US security guarantee to Ukraine, involving 30,000 troops. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on strong security guarantees from the US, which he believes are necessary for a ceasefire to be effective.
The situation is further complicated by Trump’s reluctance to provide a commitment to Ukraine’s postwar security, such as NATO membership. This stance has led some European leaders to announce plans to station a military force in Ukraine to guarantee peace, but they require strong US backing.
Experts warn that pushing for a US security guarantee could lead to a permanent rupture with Trump and potentially create a worst-case scenario where the US removes all support for Ukraine, leading to a dirty deal with Putin. However, an alternative approach is available: focusing on postwar Ukraine’s ability to maintain its own military and committing to arm it heavily in case of another Russian invasion.
Ultimately, the transatlantic community must come together to reach a common demand and prevent disaster not only for Ukraine but for European security as a whole.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/03/europe-trump-ukraine