European Leaders Strategize Amid Trump's Efforts to Forge Ties with Russia

A discreet approach has become the norm as concerns and dismay grow among European leaders about Donald Trump's recent diplomacy. In an effort to maintain a united front supporting Ukraine, European leaders are set to engage in critical discussions during two upcoming meetings in Brussels on Thursday and London on Friday. This comes on the heels of Trump's renewed pressure on Ukraine to enter conversations with Vladimir Putin's Russia. Recent discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on October 17 have left many Ukrainian officials, as well as their European allies, feeling disillusioned. Reports indicate that Trump has once again adopted several of Putin's talking points, leaving a European diplomat to express frustration, stating, "We're back to square one," despite having made some progress after the chaotic Anchorage summit on August 15. The uncertainty surrounding the situation escalates with the possibility of a Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest. The White House mentioned this prospect, but it has been met with concern and is viewed as a potential humiliation for European officials. The overt camaraderie that would be displayed between the American and Russian leaders, alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is perceived as detrimental to the West's stance. Trump's remarks on Tuesday reflected a cautious approach as he stated, "I don’t want to have a wasted meeting. I don’t want to have a waste of time, so I’ll see what happens," shortly after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the likelihood of a summit in the near term, emphasizing that no specific date has been confirmed. As European leaders prepare for their discussions, their goal remains to reinforce their solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression, while navigating the delicate dynamics introduced by Trump's engagement with Moscow. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2