A phone call between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir putin has sparked concerns among Ukrainian officials and European allies, suggesting a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The conversation, described as unusually cordial, has raised questions about the U.S.’s commitment to mediating the crisis and its willingness to pressure Russia for a peaceful resolution.

The Cordial Call: A Turning point?

According to Jurijus Ušakovas, a foreign policy advisor to Putin, the two-hour conversation was marked by such warmth that neither of the presidents wanted to be the first to hang up. This seemingly amicable exchange has fueled speculation about a potential realignment of U.S.-Russia relations, leaving some observers uneasy.

European Allies Feel Abandoned

The implications of this call have resonated deeply wiht ukraine and its European allies, who reportedly felt abandoned by the U.S. stance. The concern stems from the perception that Trump did not exert sufficient pressure on Russia to pursue a ceasefire. Moreover, the conversation transcript allegedly indicated that trump also implied that the U.S. was abandoning its role as a mediator in efforts to end the war, leaving Moscow and Kyiv to sort things out themselves.

A Hands-Off Approach

Critics argue that Trump’s approach signals a significant departure from previous U.S. policy, suggesting a willingness to allow Russia to dictate the terms of the conflict.This perceived shift has amplified fears among European leaders that Trump, seduced by Putin’s blandishments, is ready to turn to Moscow and sell out Kyiv.

No Pressure on Moscow

Following the call with Putin, Trump reportedly spoke with European leaders, making it clear that he was not only stepping back from active mediation but also did not intend to put additional pressure on moscow while bilateral Russian-Ukrainian negotiations were underway. This revelation, according to sources familiar with the conversations, marked a stark reversal from Trump’s earlier stance.

Reversal of Stance

Just days before,Trump had joined other Western leaders in threatening new punitive measures against Russia if it failed to adhere to an immediate ceasefire. However, during the call with Putin, Trump reportedly did not reiterate his previous demands for Russia to cease attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine.

Putin’s Victory

Steven Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, characterized the call as a win for Putin, stating:

This conversation with Trump was a victory for Putin. He made it clear that there would be no ceasefire in the near future, so Russia can continue the war. And no additional sanctions will be imposed.
Steven Pifer, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine

Uncertainty Surrounds Putin’s Memorandum

Adding to the confusion,a high-ranking Ukrainian official expressed uncertainty regarding a memorandum proposed by putin,stating that no one knows what it is,what the reason is,why it is important. this lack of clarity has fueled concerns that Russia might potentially be using the negotiation process as a stalling tactic.

how Long Will Trump Tolerate Delays?

Bill Taylor,who served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009, questioned the long-term implications of Trump’s approach: The Russians will negotiate at a low level, exchange various documents, and in the meantime continue to fight.How much longer will Trump tolerate all this delay?

Normalization as the Goal?

Experts suggest that Trump’s primary focus may be on improving relations with Moscow, even at the expense of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Andrew Weiss, vice president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted: At the moment, it seems that Trump considers the normalization of Russian-American relations as an end in itself. Everything else is subordinated to this goal.

Russia’s Military Position

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, highlighted Russia’s ongoing military efforts, stating that Russia is making progress on the front lines and massively recruiting soldiers. I think that from a military point of view, Russia can currently sustain the fight, given that it is constantly recruiting volunteers. The Russian leadership probably believes that it can still improve its position on the battlefield, lee added.

Favorable Weather Conditions

Lee also pointed out that the approaching summer months will bring more favorable weather conditions for offensive operations, perhaps benefiting Russia. Russia has not yet reached its minimum goal of occupying the entire Donetsk and luhansk. So it may try to occupy as much territory as possible this summer before starting more serious negotiations, the analyst noted.

A Diplomatic Shift

Despite Russia’s limited battlefield gains, Trump’s diplomatic shift has aligned considerably with the Kremlin’s agenda.According to reports,Putin sought to buy time during the negotiations with Trump,and he succeeded,as Trump signaled a retreat from demands for a ceasefire and threats of sanctions following the phone call.

Echoing Kremlin Talking Points

Sources familiar with Trump’s closed-door discussions indicated that the former president implied that he was confident of Russia’s victory, repeating many of the Kremlin’s thoughts. This alignment with Russian narratives has further fueled concerns about the direction of U.S. foreign policy under Trump.