Trump acknowledged that Europe has "earned" a seat at the negotiating table with Russia, the US, and Ukraine - Euractiv
Kyiv • UNN
Trump recognized Europe's leading role in negotiations regarding Ukraine due to the EU's financial assistance. The G7 plans to tighten sanctions against Russian energy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Europe has "earned" a key role in any future negotiations regarding a peace settlement in Ukraine, recognizing that pressure must be exerted on Russia to bring it to the negotiating table, according to senior diplomats, Euractiv reports, per UNN.
Details
European diplomats and officials noted that the U.S. President is now more involved in the issue of Ukraine and pressure on Russia, after it was agreed at the G7 summit in France to strengthen sanctions against Putin, as well as military support for Ukraine.
"The new momentum and sense of unity at the summit mean that Europeans will participate in renewed peace talks, possibly before the long summer break in Europe in August," a senior diplomatic source said.
Trump changed his mind regarding the Europeans' place at the negotiating table, as governments across Europe are "paying the bills" for military support to Ukraine, specifically "referring," according to one source, to the EU's 90 billion euro loan package for Ukraine.
The form of Europe's participation in any future negotiations on Ukraine and broader security is yet to be determined, but according to one senior diplomat, the impression among G7 European leaders was that Trump is now more in agreement with the need to force Russia to the negotiating table.
Putin's military campaign is considered to be weakening, and America's new readiness to strengthen sanctions is seen as crucial for forcing Russia into negotiations.
In a joint statement signed by Trump, the G7 committed to "increasing pressure on the Russian war economy" through measures to "strengthen our sanctions, particularly regarding the oil and gas sector."
The shift in his position was described by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as a potential "turning point." One senior EU diplomat stated that new energy sanctions from the U.S. would be "very welcome," especially if Washington supports a lower price cap on Russian oil.