**U.S. Fails to Apply Pressure on Russia, Europe Left to Pick Up the Pieces**
In a two-hour phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, it became clear once again that the U.S. is not applying significant pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. This lack of action has left European leaders feeling frustrated and worried.
According to experts across Europe, this phone call was a reminder that the U.S. can no longer be relied upon as a partner in negotiating peace in Ukraine. Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, described it as “chewing the same gum which has lost its taste”.
The call between Trump and Putin took place on May 19, after a conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During this conversation, Zelensky advocated for a ceasefire, a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Russia, and decisions about Ukraine to be made with its inclusion.
However, Russia did not back down from its demands, which have been described as “maximalist”. It continues to insist that Ukraine hand over more territory than Russia currently controls – a non-starter for Ukraine.
**Imitating Negotiations**
Throughout the peace process since Trump took office in January, he has repeatedly put pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to Russia while refusing to apply similar tactics to Russia. This approach has been seen as “imitating negotiations” by Eitvydas Bajarunas, ambassador at Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry.
Bajarunas also noted that negotiations for peace in Ukraine have fallen in priority for Washington. With Trump having failed to deliver on his campaign promise to end the war within 100 days, he once again threatened to abandon efforts to end the war if progress was not made towards a peace deal.
**Europe Must Take Responsibility**
The lack of U.S. action has left Europe feeling that it must take responsibility for negotiating peace in Ukraine. Bajarunas called on Europe to impose sanctions on Russia, supply weapons to Ukraine, and provide training to Ukrainian forces.
Other experts agree that Europe can do more to help Ukraine. Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute, suggested that Europe could unfreeze Russian assets seized by Western countries and transfer the money to Ukraine.
**A Sense of Urgency is Lacking**
However, there seems to be a lack of sense of urgency among European leaders. Many are hoping for either Putin or Trump to change their minds rather than taking decisive action themselves.
As Dementiy Bilyi, a 56-year-old political scientist and local historian from Kherson, noted, “people are tired; they need support”. He emphasized that the Kremlin’s narrative of Russia returning to occupied areas is dominating the information space in these regions.
**Support from Europe Needed**
Bilyi’s comments highlight the importance of European leaders providing words of support to the people of Ukraine. This would help them not lose hope and feel that they are not forgotten.
As the war in Ukraine continues, it is clear that European leaders must take a more proactive role in negotiating peace. The lack of U.S. action has left Europe with no choice but to pick up the pieces and find its own way forward.
**Support Independent Journalism**
The Kyiv Independent is committed to reporting on the truth of Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine without any paywall or compromise. To continue doing this, they need your support. Can you help them reach 20,000 members?
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
