In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be amenable to the deployment of European peacekeepers in the war-torn region. This statement marks a potential diplomatic breakthrough that could pave the way for an end to the Kremlin’s aggressive military actions.
“He will accept that. I have asked him that question,” Trump stated when queried about Putin’s stance on European troop involvement. “Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for more war … I’ve specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it.”
During a joint appearance with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office, Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of concluding the conflict “within weeks.” However, he cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to escalating tensions and potentially trigger “World War III.”
European leaders react to Trump’s comments
Macron, along with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is visiting Washington this week to persuade the Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine and reinforce the transatlantic alliance, which has been a cornerstone of European security since World War II.
Trump’s remarks regarding his conversations with Putin and his characterization of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator” have raised concerns among European leaders. They fear a future where they can no longer rely on the U.S. as a steadfast ally, especially as U.S. rhetoric increasingly reflects Russian viewpoints, suggesting that Ukraine should concede territory and refrain from joining NATO.
Emphasizing Europe’s role, Trump stated, “Europe is going to make sure that nothing happens. I don’t think that is going to be much of a problem; once we settle, there’s going to be no more war in Ukraine.” Macron appeared receptive to the idea, revealing that France was coordinating with other European nations, particularly the UK, to devise a framework for peacekeeping operations, albeit without deploying troops directly to the front lines.
Broader implications of the U.S.-France relations
Despite noticeable differences on certain issues, the camaraderie between Trump and Macron could alleviate fears of a rift in their approaches to Ukraine policy. They exchanged compliments and humorous anecdotes, including a lighthearted moment about a dinner atop the Eiffel Tower.
Some tensions did surface, particularly in their body language concerning the nature of European aid to Ukraine, whether it was a loan, and Kyiv’s potential obligation to reimburse its allies. Macron gently countered Trump’s assertion regarding U.S. aid, insisting that the financial burden of the war fell primarily on Russia.
“This war cost all of us a lot of money. And this is the responsibility of Russia, because the aggressor is Russia,” Macron asserted.
When pressed about whether he considers Putin a dictator, Trump responded cautiously: “I don’t use those words lightly. We’re going to see how it all works out.” He expressed confidence that an agreement would soon be reached where Ukraine would relinquish some of its valuable resources to the U.S., suggesting that America would eventually “get our money back over a period of time.”
Trump also expressed frustration over the financial assistance already provided to Ukraine, once again exaggerating the total to “$350 billion,” although Congress has actually approved approximately $120 billion in aid, which has substantially bolstered Ukraine’s military capabilities during the conflict. He attributed the situation to the Biden administration, inaccurately claiming that all European assistance was made “as a loan.”