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Kyiv is the diplomatic epicentre of the confrontation between the West and the Kremlin. The leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland have arrived in the Ukrainian capital to form a united front in negotiations with the White House. This was reported by The Guardian, citing sources in the European Union.
The reason for this was a resonant public statement by Donald Trump, who demanded that Ukraine “immediately start negotiations” with Russia. According to European diplomats, this position could undermine the EU’s joint efforts to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to sources, was forced to agree to consultations in Istanbul in order to avoid conflicting directly with the American leader.
“Putin made a ‘negotiated’ offer in order not to alienate Trump and buy time. Europe is convinced that this is a trap,” the newspaper quoted a senior diplomat as saying.
Against this backdrop, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk personally arrived in Kyiv to influence Washington by demonstrating unity with Ukraine.
EU leaders are convinced that Moscow is playing a long game to exhaust Ukraine and divide the West. In this context, harsh economic restrictions should send a signal that the White House understands the Kremlin’s tactics and has no illusions about Putin’s real desire to end the war.
“It is now critical to maintain the pressure front. Otherwise, Putin will have time to turn the tide on the frontline,” said one of the delegation members.
Washington has not yet commented on the Europeans’ visit to Kyiv, but sources in diplomatic circles indicate that pressure on Trump is growing, especially from allies who see the entire security system in the region as a threat.
