Belle analyzes Trump’s latest meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders in the shadow of Trump’s earlier summit with Putin. Trump continues to push Ukraine to surrender territory, blocks NATO membership at Putin’s demand, and insists negotiations can happen without a ceasefire.
European allies, however, strongly disagree. Leaders from the UK, Finland, and Germany emphasized that Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security and that only a ceasefire can make negotiations credible. Finland, in particular, highlighted its vulnerability with an 800-mile border with Russia. The German chancellor stressed that future talks cannot happen without a ceasefire.
Belle argues that Trump is being manipulated—treated like a child by European allies who simplify issues for him, while Putin plays him as a stooge. Trump even claimed Putin wants peace, despite the fact that Putin started the war and could end it immediately if he chose.
Bottom line: Trump’s stance undermines U.S. credibility, empowers Putin, and risks setting up Ukraine—and possibly other European nations—for future invasions. Any peace achieved this way would likely be short-lived.
