The White House is reportedly frustrated with European leaders who publicly support Trump's Ukraine peace efforts but allegedly undermine them behind the scenes. Sources claim Europe pressures Ukraine for unrealistic concessions from Russia, while expecting the U.S. to bear the costs. Trump's frustration grows, considering stepping back from diplomacy until more flexibility is shown by Russia or Ukraine.
White House Concerns: Europe Undermines Trump's Ukraine Peace Efforts
White House Concerns: Europe Undermines Trump's Ukraine Peace Efforts
Publicly, European leaders support Donald Trump's attempts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, but they allegedly undermine him behind the scenes. This belief is held by senior officials in the White House, according to Axios.
"If Europe wants to escalate the war, that's up to them," a source told the site.
Donald Trump has claimed he can stop the war in Ukraine and has expressed willingness to participate in a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, senior White House officials believe he is being undermined by Europe.
Sources speaking to Axios say some European leaders outwardly support Donald Trump but then undermine his peace efforts behind the scenes. According to these sources, European leaders are pressuring Ukraine to wait for "a better deal" and for "unrealistic territorial concessions" from Russia.
Criticism: Expecting the U.S. to Pay
The White House is reportedly growing tired, writes Axios.
"Europeans cannot prolong this war and go behind the scenes with unreasonable expectations while expecting the U.S. to pay," a senior source told the site.
The person continued:
"It's possible to reach a deal, but some Europeans continue to operate in a fantasy world, ignoring the fact that it takes two to tango."
Trump May Step Back
Donald Trump is also described as frustrated, and a senior White House source tells Axios that the president is now considering withdrawing from diplomacy until Russia or Ukraine—or both—"begin to show more flexibility."
"We will sit back and watch. Let them fight for a while and see what happens," the source said.
A senior European official involved in the talks about Russia's war against Ukraine expressed surprise at the criticism, saying that European leaders are not playing any kind of game behind Trump's back.