US President-elect Donald Trump sent a clear signal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, urging him to start considering the possibility of starting a war by giving up territory occupied by Trump's Russia. This is reported by the Spanish publication El Pais .
So far, European capitals are discussing other options for ending the war, including the introduction of peacekeeping forces, increased supplies of Western weapons, and the creation of a US and European defense shield for Ukraine.
"The war will end at the negotiating table, perhaps sooner than expected. Europe should prepare for this and claim a place at the negotiating table," said a high-ranking European source.
One of the main risks that worries Kyiv and European capitals is the possible achievement of an agreement that will leave the occupied territories in the status of a frozen conflict. A high-ranking source from the EU emphasized that "security guarantees are needed not only for Ukraine to accept this agreement, but also to ensure its survival as an independent state."
Last year, Kyiv got NATO countries to sign commitments in the field of security, which mostly cover military and economic support. But full-fledged "guarantees" remain in question, since there is no consensus in European circles regarding their format.
"Membership in NATO should be the main goal of Europe. Although there are different variables that are less reliable, but more politically viable," says Louis Simon, director of the Brussels office of the Royal Elcano Institute.
The decision largely depends on the United States, particularly after the change of administration in January. Donald Trump, who promised to end the war in 24 hours, has already sent a signal to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyi about the need for a ceasefire and possible recognition of the occupation of territories captured by Russia. At his luxury golf club in Florida, Trump said:
"It's nice to say that they want their land back, but the cities are mostly destroyed. You look at some of these cities and there's not a single building left. So when you say "return the country"... Return what? This is a 110-year reconstruction."
Despite this, several European sources, who wished to remain anonymous, believe that the signals sent by Trump are not negative - General Keith Kellogg, who was appointed as the ambassador to Ukraine, praised the Joe Biden administration's new weapons packages and authorization to attack targets on Russian territory. Trump wants to achieve peace, but from a position of strength.
"It is important for him not to appear weak," said a senior official.
"Trump hasn't made a decision yet, one day he shows one thing, the next - another, that's why it's so important to act now and convey our messages," said a source in the Ukrainian government.
"The year 2025 will be decisive," said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Currently, Europe seeks to arm Ukraine to strengthen its position before possible negotiations, and to turn the country into a defense-capable state that will deter the Kremlin.
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed the idea of a European peacekeeping force, but most allies believe that peace must be achieved before sending such a force.
Europe and the USA remain important partners for Kyiv. At the same time, time pressure and uncertainty in Washington are forcing Ukraine and its allies to act quickly to form a new security umbrella.
Trump and Ukraine - what to expect
We previously reported that the upcoming inauguration of Trump does not bode well for the interests of the West and Ukraine. Most likely, after January 20, military and economic aid to Kyiv from Washington will be significantly reduced, and negotiations with Russia will begin quickly. This opinion was expressed by the former national security adviser of the US President, John Bolton.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, assumed that a full-scale war in Ukraine against the Russian Federation could end in 2025, because Trump is able to exert great pressure on the Russian Federation due to the strengthening of Ukraine. But it depends "on the will of those who want it."
Even before the inauguration, Trump's future special representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, should arrive in Kyiv. However, Zelensky expressed skepticism about the success of Kellogg's mission.
