European Leaders “Stunned” After Trump Is Again Conned by Putin
Donald Trump’s latest call with Vladimir Putin has sparked outrage across Europe, as leaders were left blindsided—and deeply concerned—by what they see as another diplomatic failure by the former U.S. president. After a two-hour conversation with the Russian dictator on Monday, Trump abruptly announced that the responsibility for negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine would now fall to Kyiv and Europe.
The reaction from European officials was swift and incredulous.
According to the Financial Times, “European leaders are stunned by Trump’s account of the call with Putin.”
One official familiar with Trump’s follow-up conversations described leaders as taken aback by what Trump claimed had been agreed.
The dismay was echoed in British media, with Sky News declaring: “The phone call between Trump and Putin looks like a clear defeat for the American president.”
Following the call, Trump posted on Truth Social that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,” framing the development as a diplomatic breakthrough. He added that he had briefed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and even named “New Pope Leo” as a potential mediator—further bewildering his European counterparts.
The episode has reignited long-standing concerns in Europe about Trump’s susceptibility to Kremlin manipulation. Critics point to a familiar pattern: Trump speaking to Putin privately, emerging with a narrative that benefits Moscow, and then surprising allies with unilateral announcements.
No Progress, Just Chaos
The backdrop to this episode is months of U.S.-Russia negotiations—launched without Ukraine or Europe present—that produced no meaningful outcomes. Ceasefires were repeatedly proposed and immediately violated. Meanwhile, Russia intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, escalating rather than de-escalating the conflict.
Despite this, Trump indicated to European leaders that the U.S. would not impose any new sanctions on Russia. This, despite calls from Republican lawmakers like Lindsey Graham to push for “bone-crushing” penalties. Trump has also refrained from lifting existing sanctions and has stated that U.S. military aid to Ukraine will continue and may be prolonged.
At the recent talks in Istanbul, Russia made clear that its objectives remain unchanged: Ukraine must surrender its remaining free territories in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and accept neutrality under Moscow’s terms. These demands are seen in Kyiv and across Europe as non-starters.
Following Trump’s call with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not compromise on its sovereignty. However, he acknowledged receiving a proposed “Memorandum” from Putin—relayed via Trump—and said Ukraine would review it. The likelihood that this document contains a credible basis for peace is close to zero.
For European leaders, the outrage is not only about Trump’s willingness to parrot Putin’s version of events—it’s about being sidelined in a war that directly threatens European security. Once again, Trump appears to have handed Putin the advantage—without extracting a single concession in return.