**Europe Prepares for Potential New Demands from Trump**
European officials are expecting US President Donald Trump to make two big requests. They believe he will ask Europe to pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war and also to send troops for peacekeeping without any American involvement.
This comes after a report by The Telegraph said that one of Trump’s proposed peace plans involves asking British and other European forces to create a buffer zone along the front line in Ukraine.
**Trump Talks with Putin and Zelensky**
On February 12, Trump held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. After these calls, Trump announced that negotiations would start “immediately” and that a ceasefire was not too far away.
However, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Ukraine is unlikely to get back its borders from 2014. He also stated that NATO membership for Ukraine is no longer an option. This has caused concern among European leaders.
**European Leaders Respond**
Former European Council President Donald Tusk called for a “just peace” and emphasized the need for Ukraine, Europe, and the US to work together. Estonian politician Marko Mihkelson warned that Trump’s actions might be remembered as a dark day for Europe.
Bloomberg Economics estimates that keeping Ukraine safe and increasing the military in Europe could cost major EU powers an additional $3.1 trillion over the next decade.
**Concerns about Russia**
Security officials are worried that if Russia is not stopped, it might become more aggressive and even try to break up the EU and NATO. Former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that Trump’s actions were a surprise and that history would judge this decision.
The Kremlin has confirmed that they are forming a delegation for negotiations with the US, following Putin and Trump’s agreement to meet face-to-face.
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