WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0A renewed push by the Trump administration to settle Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine is jolting European governments that are fearful Washington is laying the groundwork for an ultimatum to Kyiv on Moscow\u2019s terms.<\/p>\n
The flurry of diplomatic engagements has left Ukrainian and European diplomats alarmed that President Trump and his team have accepted Russia\u2019s rationale for the war, which Vladimir Putin launched in 2022<\/a> in order to conquer Ukraine and destroy its democratic government, precipitating the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.<\/p>\n It is the latest seesaw movement in Trump\u2019s policy on Ukraine since retaking office. The president has repeatedly flared anger <\/a>and frustration with Ukraine<\/a> over its insistence on defending itself, only to reverse course<\/a> days or weeks later, temporarily embracing European partnerships, the NATO alliance and Kyiv\u2019s prospects for victory.<\/p>\n The administration seemed to settle on a long-term course this week, publishing a National Security Strategy document Friday asserting that Europe has \u201cunrealistic expectations\u201d for the outcome of the war and suggesting it would work to cultivate political \u201cresistance\u201d to Europe\u2019s \u201ccurrent trajectory.\u201d <\/p>\n The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in perception and practice, should not be seen as an expanding alliance, the document reads, a nod to a long-standing Russian argument justifying its military posture on the continent.<\/p>\n Americans overwhelmingly oppose Trump\u2019s current approach by a 2-to-1 margin \u2014 which would coerce Ukraine to give up its sovereign territory, including land that Russia has failed to secure<\/a> on the battlefield despite suffering more than a million casualties. A recent Gallup poll found that Republicans disapprove of Trump\u2019s policy on Ukraine more than any other issue.<\/p>\n Still, the president\u2019s advisors seem to be warming to a plan that would force Ukraine to concede territory in exchange for nonbinding commitments to secure what remains of the country going forward.<\/p>\n