The newly elected U.S. president Donald Trump has postponed his promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, which he made during his election campaign, for several months.
Interviews with European officials published in the Financial Times indicate that Trump and his team are still searching for the optimal approach to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. It is likely that support for Kyiv will continue after the president's inauguration on January 20. One European official emphasized that the Trump administration is focused on demonstrating strength and determination, hence it is restructuring its strategy regarding Ukraine.
Trump and his advisers are concerned that resolving the conflict in Ukraine may parallel the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021. European leaders are also actively trying to convey to Trump the importance of supporting Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv's position in peace negotiations and to pressure Russia. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during her meeting with Trump, noted that the Republican would not abandon support for Ukraine.
"I do not foresee a division in the U.S. On the issue of peace, Trump may be moving towards a solution, but I do not think that means a refusal from Ukraine," she stated at one of her recent press conferences.
She also emphasized that any diplomatic agreement must include security guarantees for Ukraine.
Additionally, a senior Russian official pointed out that it is important for Russia to receive guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, and that the U.S.-led military alliance will withdraw from some of its eastern deployments.
"He wants to change the rules of the international order so that there are no threats to Russia. He is very concerned about what the world will look like after the war. Trump wants to roll back NATO in any case. The world is changing; anything can happen," he explained.
Source: ft.