Trump's talks with Putin could reshape US‑Europe relations
The conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could forever change the United States' relations with Europe. According to CNN, this moment confirms the "America First" ideology, where every alliance is evaluated through the lens of national interest.
The first test of the new American-European reality will be the future of Ukraine. Trump announced immediate talks about a ceasefire in Ukraine after consultations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Wednesday was also the best day for Putin since the invasion, since it swept away many of Ukraine’s aspirations," CNN assessed. The new U.S. administration expressed doubt that day about Ukraine's ability to regain territories occupied by Russia.
"Trump, the supposed deal maker supreme, deprived the Ukrainians of a bargaining chip that could have been used to win concessions from his old friend Putin. As it stands, Trump seems to have no objection to Russia retaining the spoils of its unprovoked invasion," CNN noted. The network added that this "is not surprising — since like Russia, America now has a president who believes great powers are entitled to expansionism in their regional areas of influence."
"A cruel historical irony"
According to CNN, it is possible that a solution could emerge where Ukraine is divided in a manner similar to Germany after World War II. "Russian-occupied territory [will be] frozen under its [Russian -ed.] control with the rest of Ukraine — on the other side of a hard border – remaining a democracy," it was written.
"Such a solution would conjure a cruel historical irony. Putin, who watched in despair from his post as a KGB officer in Dresden as the Soviet Union dissolved, may be on the verge of creating a new East Germany in 21st century Europe with America’s help," the network observed.
Referring to the history of U.S.-European relations, CNN reminded that U.S. interventions helped win two world wars that started in Europe in the 20th century. "Trump is returning to the rationale used by many presidents wary of foreign entanglements from the start of the republic, saying Wednesday, 'We have a little thing called an ocean in between,'" the network concluded.
