White House Thinks Europe Is Disrupting End to Ukraine War Behind the Scenes
White House Thinks Europe Is Disrupting End to Ukraine War Behind the Scenes
In a sharp escalation of tensions within the international coalition addressing the Ukraine conflict, senior White House officials are accusing certain European leaders of undermining efforts to end the war. While publicly supporting peace initiatives, these officials believe some European governments are behind the scenes encouraging Ukraine to hold out for harsher terms against Russia, effectively dragging the conflict on and placing an unfair burden on the United States.
Frustration Grows Over Lack of Progress
Just weeks after a summit held in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with a subsequent meeting involving European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House has expressed mounting impatience. Officials describe a stalemate in diplomatic progress exacerbated by European demands perceived as unrealistic, particularly regarding Ukraine’s territorial concession stance.
A senior White House official told Axios, "The Europeans don’t get to prolong this war and backdoor unreasonable expectations, while also expecting America to bear the cost." The statement conveys a growing sense of frustration within Trump's administration over what they see as Europe's reluctance to take decisive action or shoulder proportional responsibility for the ongoing conflict.
Sanctions as a Point of Contention
The U.S. Treasury Department has been compiling a list of potential sanctions for European nations to impose on Russia, asking for a comprehensive cutoff of oil and gas purchases from Moscow. Secondary tariffs on countries like India and China, modeled after current U.S. measures, are also part of the proposed package.
However, despite these measures being urged by the U.S., European cooperation remains hesitant in some quarters. U.S. officials believe Britain and France are more constructive partners, while other major European countries prefer the U.S. to bear most of the financial and political costs.
One senior official summarized the dilemma: "Getting to a deal is an art of the possible, but some of the Europeans continue to operate in a fairy-tale land that ignores the fact it takes two to tango."
Diplomatic Impasse Over a Putin-Zelensky Summit
President Trump has been vocal about his belief that the next critical step in ending the war is a direct summit between Putin and Zelensky. Despite his efforts, Moscow has so far refused to engage in such talks, while the Ukrainian side has rejected any discussion involving territorial concessions before the Russians come to the negotiating table.
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump expressed visible frustration, calling the situation "posturing" and dismissing much of the diplomatic back-and-forth as insincere.
The reality on the ground also paints a grim picture. Russia continues large-scale airstrikes on Kyiv and other cities, while Ukraine has launched attacks on Russian oil facilities, showing that neither side is close to backing down.
White House Considers Pulling Back Diplomatic Efforts
Given the intransigence on both sides, senior White House officials have indicated that Trump is considering stepping back from active diplomatic engagement until one or both parties demonstrate greater willingness to compromise.
A top official noted, "We are going to sit back and watch. Let them fight it out for a while and see what happens."
This approach marks a shift from the active mediation efforts seen in recent months and reflects the challenges facing any potential peace resolution in the near term.
European Response and Ongoing Negotiations
European officials involved in recent negotiations have expressed surprise at the U.S. accusations that they are secretly undermining peace efforts. According to them, there is no duplicity or backchannel attempts to sabotage talks, and they affirm ongoing work to develop stronger sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts continue. On Friday, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak in New York to discuss the possibility of a Zelensky-Putin meeting. Yermak also invited Witkoff to visit Kyiv, signaling ongoing dialogue despite the lack of breakthrough progress.
Looking Ahead: A Complex and Fragile Path
The Ukraine conflict remains one of the most challenging diplomatic puzzles on the global stage. The differing priorities and strategies among the U.S., European allies, Russia, and Ukraine complicate attempts to forge a peace plan.
President Trump’s efforts to broker an end to the war face hurdles both from Moscow’s stance and Ukraine’s steadfast refusal to consider territorial losses without a reciprocal Russian commitment to talks. Meanwhile, European leaders walk a delicate line, balancing public support for peace with pressure from their domestic constituencies and international partners.
As the situation evolves, the world watches closely to see whether renewed diplomatic momentum can be achieved or if the current deadlock will persist, prolonging the devastating conflict in Ukraine.
In summary, tensions between the White House and European allies have surfaced amid frustrations over progress in the Ukraine war. The differences in approach, coupled with ongoing military confrontations, present significant obstacles to ending the conflict. While efforts continue behind the scenes, substantial breakthroughs remain elusive, leaving the future of peace uncertain.