Maybe it’s personal: Europeans worry Trump just likes Putin more than Zelenskyy

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump's stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine has drawn significant concern from Europeans. In a seemingly casual comment, Trump expressed his view that Russia has been "fine" in Ukraine, suggesting that the nation has not contributed much to the conflict. This statement has alarmed residents of Kyiv, who have been enduring weeks of intensifying bombardment, and Ukraine's allies across Europe.

According to the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, American negotiators have been attempting to push Ukraine towards surrender for over two years. The reason Ukraine has not yet yielded to Putin's demands, Kallas argues, is due to the extensive support provided by Europe. As European officials and diplomats grapple with Trump's latest turn against Ukraine, some speculate that it stems from the president's personal preferences and political motivations.

Former British Cabinet minister David Lidington suggested that Trump's personal predilections for dictators and autocrats, as well as his desire to create business opportunities for U.S. companies, play a significant role in his motivations. EU officials echo this sentiment, with one government official stating that Trump personally dislikes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This lack of liking for Zelenskyy makes it challenging to secure U.S. support for peace efforts, as Trump's decisions appear to be driven by rational business considerations until they are not.

The inconsistency in Trump's stance on Ukraine has raised doubts among European allies. While he has been critical of Ukraine, the EU, and NATO, few of his criticisms have targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin directly. This stark contrast has led to concerns that the U.S. administration leans more pro-Russian than previously acknowledged.

Ukraine and its European allies are growing increasingly anxious about the possibility that Trump's feelings towards Zelenskyy will remain unchanged. As the war drags on and the Ukrainian government faces mounting losses, including dwindling funding and air defenses, the situation appears bleak. Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and leaders from Norway and Finland to discuss potential peace proposals. However, the White House has not yet commented on these developments.