Trump won't force Kyiv into premature negotiations with Russia – Bloomberg

Ukraine's European allies have expressed cautious optimism that US President-elect Donald Trump will not force Kyiv into premature negotiations with Russia.

As reported by Bloomberg, according to European officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the transatlantic partners spoke in favour of continuing to support Ukraine.

The exchange, they said, opens up the prospect that the new administration could help war-exhausted Ukraine return to a position of strength before any talks take place.

But those who have held private talks with the new president have called for caution, as Trump’s history of ignoring advice or changing the plan at the last minute leaves room for uncertainty.

"The Trump officials appeared to be receptive to two arguments, the Europeans said: that the new US leader would risk humiliation comparable to President Joe Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan if he pulled the plug on Kyiv – and that allowing Russia to achieve such a victory would only embolden China to consider more aggressive moves," Bloomberg reports.

Trump’s plans for the Russo-Ukrainian war are still unclear a week before the 47th president’s inauguration. Strategists on Trump's team have been floating a few ideas, but European and Ukrainian officials say there is no cohesive strategy for Ukraine that could be offered after the inauguration on 20 January.

But the talks have sparked a sense of cautious relief in European capitals, where officials have been playing out worst-case scenarios if Trump keeps his promise to end the war quickly – and perhaps strikes a deal that benefits Russia.

Trump has already surprised many leaders by asking smart questions about the war during meetings and calls with Europeans, the officials say.

Trump expressed interest in overseeing a Ukraine deal, according to people familiar with the conversations. He also expressed criticism of Putin's behaviour, even as he tried to open a channel of communication with the Russian leader.

However, according to the sources, the newly elected president gives the impression that he is not overly concerned about Ukraine's fate or does not recognise the strategic importance of the war for US interests.

There is growing conviction in European capitals that an agreement to end the war will be reached in the foreseeable future. They hope that tougher sanctions against Moscow and continued military support for Kyiv will result in economic and military losses for Russia and open the way for negotiations for Ukraine.

Despite the anti-Ukraine campaign rhetoric, the Trump team is aware of what a failure in the war could mean, especially with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, some officials said.

They said that when it comes to finding a solution, there is an understanding that any deal in one form or another must include security guarantees for Kyiv. This will inevitably lead to a heated debate about whether to deploy US troops if Ukraine is attacked after the ceasefire, an essential element to secure European support, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Keith Kellogg, formerly a national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, has suggested maintaining the level of aid to Ukraine so that it can negotiate from a position of strength. He outlined a potential deal involving freezing the current frontline and create a demilitarised zone, postponing Ukraine's NATO membership "for an extended period".

According to European officials, the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership, which is one of Russia's main demands, is unlikely to move forward with Trump. However, Europeans want to keep the issue on the table, they said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she did not expect US President-elect Donald Trump to "abandon" Ukraine.

US President-elect Donald Trump has emphasised that he would continue to support Ukraine in his efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has stated that the European Union is prepared to take a leading role in helping Ukraine if US assistance falters.