Trump Launches Sharp Criticism at European Leaders Amid Ukraine Peace Talks
During ongoing crisis talks in Downing Street focused on ending the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump delivered a sharp attack on what he called “weak” European leaders from “decaying” nations. His comments came as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with European allies to discuss a path toward peace in Ukraine.
In a wide-ranging interview with Politico released Tuesday, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he had not reviewed the latest draft of a US-backed peace plan. The president again pressed Kyiv to consider transferring territory to Russia, suggesting that Moscow currently holds the “upper hand” and that Ukraine must “play ball.”
Downing Street quickly pushed back, emphasizing that no one desires peace in Ukraine more than President Zelensky. A UK government spokesperson highlighted Europe’s ongoing efforts, including leading sanctions and coordinating international support, while expressing continued support for the US peace initiative.
“The coalition of willing countries has been actively engaged, and the UK remains committed to leading the response,” the spokesperson said. “We welcome significant US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, and nobody wants this more than President Zelensky.”
European and Ukrainian officials have signaled that any ceasefire must include firm security guarantees from the US and the coalition led by the UK and France. Kyiv is expected to resist proposals involving territorial concessions to Russia.
President Zelensky, continuing his diplomatic tour of Europe, stated he would soon send “refined documents” to the White House. On X, he wrote, “The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the US. Together with the American side, we expect to make potential steps as actionable as possible.”
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Warren Stephens is scheduled to meet with Downing Street officials Tuesday, underscoring the “strong relationship” between Sir Keir and President Trump despite his recent criticisms of European leaders. Trump’s updated national security strategy also raised concerns about his stance toward America’s traditional allies.
A UK spokesperson noted, “There are still some outstanding issues in ending the Ukraine conflict, but intensive work on the peace plan is continuing from both the US and Ukrainian sides.”
At a recent Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that the stakes remain high while reaffirming the UK’s commitment to working with all partners to achieve a just and lasting peace. The Foreign Secretary added that Russia’s threat extends beyond Ukraine, posing risks to Europe and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.
Comments
Post a Comment