Ukraine: The Divide Between the US and Europe 

*Written by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaçuka* 

Following Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President, the evolving relationship between the United States and Europe has reached a new dimension, with the most recent example being the US’s shifting stance on the Ukraine War. Last week, Trump’s phone call with Putin, followed by a meeting between US and Russian foreign ministers in Riyadh, not only undermined the efforts of European leaders and former US President Joe Biden to isolate Putin—whom they have labeled a war criminal for three years—but the content of these talks also reverberated widely across Europe. 

On Wednesday, Trump branded Zelenskyy a “dictator” and appeared to intensify pressure on Kyiv to accept a deal to end the war. Zelenskyy, labeled a dictator in this context, has objected to the US and Russia initiating negotiations without Kyiv’s involvement. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Thursday that the US is prepared to ease economic and political sanctions depending on Russia’s willingness to negotiate. Bessent also emphasized Trump’s determination to resolve this conflict swiftly. 

The latest crisis between the European-backed Zelenskyy administration and the US is evident in the upcoming G-7 summit next week, particularly in discussions over its agenda and the communiqués to be issued. The US is pushing for the removal of the term “Russian Aggression,” which has appeared in statements for the past three years, and wants the Ukraine War to be redefined not as a “war” but as a “conflict.” It’s also worth recalling the remarks last week by US Defense Secretary Hegseth, who stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership or a return to its 2014 borders is not realistic. While Western concerns acknowledge that—even if true—Ukraine’s NATO membership and Russia’s withdrawal to pre-2014 borders seem unlikely, there is a prevailing view that conceding these two critical bargaining chips before negotiations begin would be a strategic mistake. Broadly speaking, isolating Russia and Putin remains a core desire in European capitals. However, there is no unified Europe on this matter. Countries like Italy and Hungary have periodically offered significant support to Trump. Notably, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, the only G-7 leader to attend Trump’s inauguration, has announced she will not participate in this week’s G-7 summit—likely seeking a way to balance her closeness to Trump with her support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are hurriedly heading to Washington next week to discuss the Ukraine issue. 

Bridging the gap between Europe and the US seems possible only if Trump shifts his stance. However, Trump’s personality and his surprisingly pro-Russia attitude—which has even caught Russia off guard—are seen as major problems in Europe. The primary concern is that peace talks excluding Ukraine and Europe could lead to Ukraine’s complete capitulation, potentially causing fragility in both Ukrainian society and the European security architecture. The Ukraine issue also raises a pessimistic question about how much Europe can rely on US support against the greatest threat it faces: Russia. This could mark a turning point, bringing Europe’s need for a defense force independent of the US into sharper focus. It’s also worth noting that Russia’s reported demand in negotiations for NATO to withdraw from Eastern Europe is perceived as a significant threat by Europeans.