It was the moment Europeans and Ukrainians had dreaded for months—if not years. Yet when it finally came, on a wintry afternoon as Kyiv froze under the weight of war, the sheer scale and abruptness of Donald Trump’s peace plan left Ukraine’s allies in a state of shock.
The United States has effectively ended its unwavering support for Ukraine’s war effort, with Trump announcing immediate negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to abandon hopes of reclaiming all Russian-occupied territory.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the first to unveil America’s new stance during a high-stakes meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. In a blunt message to his European counterparts, Hegseth declared that Ukraine’s goal of fully restoring its pre-2014 borders was unrealistic.
“Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,” he said, stunning the room into silence.
But it was his next revelation that sent deeper tremors through the alliance. The U.S., he announced, would be pulling back from its traditional role as Europe’s security guarantor, signaling an end to decades of American military dominance on the continent. European nations, he warned, would now have to take primary responsibility for their own defense—and for Ukraine’s.
Trump’s Direct Line to Putin
As European leaders scrambled to interpret Washington’s sudden shift, Trump delivered the final blow in a bombshell social media post.
“I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump announced. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation … Millions of people have died in a war that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end. No more lives should be lost!”
Zelenskyy responded diplomatically, trying to put on a brave face.
“President Trump shared details of his conversation with Putin,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace. As President Trump said, let’s get it done.”
Europe Struggles to Respond
Trump’s unilateral approach—negotiating directly with Putin while seemingly treating Ukraine as an afterthought—sparked outrage among Ukraine’s closest allies.
“We have always underlined that … there will be no decision made on Ukraine without Ukraine,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. “Peace can only be achieved together. And that means: with Ukraine, and with the Europeans.”
Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže emphasized that “Ukrainian agency in any peace talks is crucially important,” while Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned that Kyiv needed more military support, not less, before engaging in negotiations.
“Poland will unwaveringly seek intensified military support for Ukraine,” he declared. “The reinforcement of Ukraine’s capabilities before potential discussions with Russia is crucial for our continent.”
France also rejected Trump’s vision, insisting that Ukraine must continue its path toward NATO membership—something Hegseth had ruled out.
“We are very attached to a pathway for Ukraine towards NATO,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. “If there is a peace, we need security guarantees so that it is fair and lasting.”
NATO
Trump’s move has rattled the very foundation of NATO. Hegseth made clear that the U.S. would not support Ukraine’s NATO aspirations as part of any deal, nor would it provide troops for any future peacekeeping mission. NATO itself, he declared, should not play a role in the settlement.
These statements infuriated European officials, who fear that Trump’s approach legitimizes Russian aggression and weakens NATO’s deterrence strategy.
“This is a dangerous precedent,” said Estonian Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Marko Mihkelson. “Today might go down in history as a dark day for Europe. It’s time for European leaders to take our fate into our own hands.”
Trump’s Negotiating Team and Putin’s Plans
Trump has appointed a high-profile team to lead negotiations with Russia, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
“I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!” Trump stated.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Kremlin revealed that Putin had welcomed Trump’s outreach. The Russian president is expected to meet with Trump “in the not-too-distant future” in Saudi Arabia for their first in-person discussions since Trump’s re-election.
The backlash against Trump’s decision was swift in Washington, where critics accused him of abandoning Ukraine and emboldening Putin.
“Today, President Trump called our enemy, Russia, before calling our ally, Ukraine,” said Democratic Senator Adam Schiff. “His Defense Secretary ruled out a future for Ukraine in NATO and dismissed Ukraine’s sovereignty. Let’s not mince words: this is a surrender to the Kremlin before negotiations even begin.”
Former British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also questioned Trump’s approach.
“Starting a negotiation by setting out what one side should give up is not a strong move,” he said. “Giving the impression that invasion pays off is not a strong move. Regimes are watching closely.”
Zelenskyy’s Dilemma
For Zelenskyy, Trump’s pivot leaves him in a precarious position. While he remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, his options are narrowing as U.S. military and financial support appears to be slipping away.
Despite Trump’s reassurances, many in Kyiv fear the U.S. is forcing Ukraine into an unfavorable settlement that could legitimize Russian territorial gains and embolden further aggression.
“Ukraine can return all of its territory,” insisted Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the foreign relations committee in Ukraine’s parliament. “But for this to happen, more military-technical assistance from the United States and stronger sanctions are needed—particularly U.S. financial sanctions against the Russian economy.”
Europe’s Next Steps
With America stepping back, European leaders are now grappling with their own next steps.
British Defense Minister John Healey acknowledged Hegseth’s message, saying, “We hear you. On stepping up for Ukraine, we are and we will. On stepping up for European security, we are and we will.”
Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas released a statement on behalf of key European nations, reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
“Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are unconditional,” the statement read. “Our priority must now be strengthening Ukraine and providing robust security guarantees.”
A Fractured Future for the West?
Trump’s surprise move has created deep fractures across the West, leaving Europe in an unprecedented position where it may have to shoulder the burden of Ukraine’s defense largely on its own.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk summed up the dilemma in a blunt social media post.
“All we need is peace. A JUST PEACE. Ukraine, Europe, and the United States should work on this together. TOGETHER.”
As Ukraine braces for what comes next, and as European leaders scramble to fill the void left by a retreating America, the world is left wondering: Is this the beginning of peace—or the start of a new and dangerous era?
