European officials are concerned that they might be left to shoulder the costs of Ukraine‘s post-war reconstruction and security after being excluded from discussions between Trump and Putin. The Financial Times reported on February 13 that six European countries released a statement with Ukraine and the European Commission following Trump’s comments, committing to Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
Trump’s comments have been met with backlash from some officials, with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal calling Hegseth‘s message a “surrender and betrayal” of Ukraine. John Bolton, a former national security adviser to Trump, told CNN that Trump has effectively surrendered to Putin before the negotiations have even begun.
The terms quoted by Hegseth could have been written in the Kremlin, Bolton added. Hegseth pushed back on claims that a swift negotiation would be a “betrayal” at a press conference in Brussels, saying there is no betrayal – just recognition of peace and a negotiated peace.
Trump’s calls to Putin and Zelensky have set the stage for talks to end the Ukraine war, signaling a new phase after nearly three years of war. No negotiations have taken place since the war’s early months.