Trump engages western leaders over Ukraine conflict strategy
President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly begun discussions with Western leaders to address the war in Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, he has communicated his intent to pressure the Russian leader, not solely Ukraine.
Bloomberg notes that Trump has already made initial phone calls to European leaders, during which his potential negotiation strategy with Putin was a topic of discussion.
Trump plans to pressure Putin
A senior official told the agency that Trump has indicated he understands he cannot simply press Ukraine to make concessions to Putin without securing something in return. Bloomberg sought comments from Trump's spokesperson regarding these statements.
Orban on funding a "lost war"
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, who is hosting the summit and is Trump's biggest supporter in Europe, remarked that it remains an "open question" if the US and EU will carry out the latest aid package valued at 75 billion Canadian dollars.
In a radio interview on Friday, Orban mentioned that Europe alone cannot fund a "lost" war and suggested that the US might withdraw its support. However, it is important to remember that Orban is against aid to Kyiv and maintains a close relationship with Putin.
The European Union considers a "Plan B"
European Union leaders are assessing whether Ukraine's war efforts can be sustained if Donald Trump cuts off US support. During a meeting in Budapest on Thursday, discussions focused on whether the EU is prepared to bear the war's financial burdens. There is concern that Trump may wish to transfer the financial responsibility to Europe, although there are currently no indications of significant policy shifts.
Some European leaders suggest waiting until Trump's inauguration in January to gauge his intentions regarding Ukraine. In contrast, others argue that the EU cannot afford to wait and that the European Commission should develop action proposals should the US cease aid immediately.
According to certain European officials, the issue is not the funding per se, but the availability of military resources, which have largely been supplied by the US. The United States has provided Ukraine with key weapons, including F-16s and ATACMS long-range missiles, enabling attacks on Russian targets behind the front lines. US manufacturing capacity is also crucial in ensuring the supply of 155 mm shells, a core component of Ukraine's defensive operations.
On Thursday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to sustain arms supplies and avoid discussing a ceasefire or concessions to Putin.
"If we talk about the possibility of peace today, it's because the Ukrainians had extraordinary courage and because the West supported Ukraine," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said during the second day of talks on Friday. The EU has been the largest provider of aid to Ukraine, with total support surpassing 180 billion Canadian dollars.
