Andrea Innocenti For more than 20 months, relations between the United States and the European Union have been marked by constant tensions, fueled by Donald Trump 's stance on Ukraine. The American president has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy , claiming he doesn't truly want an end to the conflict.
Trump's statements against Zelensky and European concerns
In the public debate, Trump declared that Zelensky "doesn't want an end to the war" and blamed the Ukrainian leader for jeopardizing the global diesel market through attacks on Russian refineries. The president also accused Zelensky of enjoying significant European funding and an alleged connection to the former Biden administration, insinuating that these resources made him less motivated to seek a peaceful solution.
Trump's words have prompted EU officials to fear that Washington is no longer willing to pressure Moscow for a fair deal, fueling a sense of Kiev's isolation within the Western landscape.
Impact of sanctions and the diesel market
The president also reiterated his decision to freeze sanctions against Russia, saying he wanted to negotiate a peace without surprises that could “push Russia away from the negotiating table .”
According to Trump, the operations targeting Russian diesel refineries, despite the global economic damage, are a "wise choice" because they keep fuel prices low in the United States, benefiting farmers and businesses. This stance has drawn criticism from Washington and European partners, who sense a potential weakening of economic pressure on Moscow.
Putin's proposal for a trilateral summit without Zelensky
In parallel, Vladimir Putin has floated the idea of a three-way summit, scheduled for November , that would include himself, Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping . The initiative, announced during a phone call on October 9, deliberately excludes Zelensky, immediately causing alarm in European capitals. Putin sees the event as an opportunity to "negotiate a favorable end to the conflict for Moscow," but the absence of the Ukrainian representative makes the project highly controversial.
US reaction
A senior US government official noted that Trump has not yet formally authorized the summit, although the president may consider the idea to fulfill a campaign promise to end the war. Meanwhile, the United States has initiated negotiations to purchase Russian diesel fuel for resale on the international market, an agreement that, according to sources, was sealed in the same October 9 conversation. This move was seen as a "diplomatic outlet" aimed at maintaining trade ties with Moscow, but it has further complicated relations with the EU.
Marginal diplomatic initiatives and the role of Steve Witkoff
On October 20, businessman Steve Witkoff left for Moscow with the task of initiating peace talks on concrete proposals, including a possible face-to-face meeting between Putin, Zelensky, and Trump. This gesture, albeit symbolic, highlights Washington's desire to keep channels of dialogue open, but at the same time reiterates the internal contradiction between Trump's rhetoric and practical diplomatic initiatives. Some European leaders have seized the opportunity to reignite the debate on the possibility of using Russia's frozen reserves for aid to Ukraine, a concept that has so far been put on hold due to political tensions.
Europe is watching with concern, fearing that a closer alignment between the US and Russia could undermine efforts for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Ukrainian conflict.