Trump’s Push for Ukraine-Russia Talks Disrupts European Sanctions Strategy

 London/Kyiv,  – U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent social media directive urging Ukraine to immediately engage in peace talks with Russia has thrown a wrench into Europe’s concerted efforts to pressure the U.S. into imposing stricter sanctions on Moscow, according to European diplomats. The move has forced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in Istanbul on Thursday, a decision diplomats attribute to Zelenskyy’s fear of alienating Trump.

The development comes after a unified show of support from European leaders, including Britain’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Poland’s Donald Tusk, who visited Kyiv over the weekend to advocate for a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. Their visit aimed to press Trump to acknowledge Putin’s reluctance to negotiate, thereby justifying severe economic sanctions on Russia. Additionally, foreign ministers gathered in Lviv on Friday to escalate pressure on Moscow, discussing plans for a special tribunal to try Russian leaders for aggression and announcing UK sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet. However, Trump’s intervention has led the UK to postpone further measures planned for Monday, though the EU is proceeding with its own sanctions package later this month.

Trump’s Sunday post on Truth Social blamed both Ukraine and Russia for the failure of his proposed 30-day ceasefire, urging Ukraine to meet Russia immediately to assess the possibility of a deal. “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible,” Trump stated, adding, “I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin.” On Monday, Trump suggested Putin might attend the Istanbul talks and even floated the idea of joining himself, saying, “There’s a possibility there I guess if I think things can happen.”

European leaders, meeting in London on Monday, expressed cautious frustration. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized, “Ukraine is ready for a truce. Germany now expects Russia to agree to a ceasefire and then negotiate.” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted, “What we are seeing from Moscow is not promising. He’s trying to gain time and possibly occupy more Ukrainian territories.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added, “To start peace talks, there must be a ceasefire. We must put pressure on Russia because it is playing a game.”

The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, rejected European “ultimatums,” stating, “The language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia.” Peskov emphasized Moscow’s focus on a “long-term peaceful settlement” but clarified no direct talks with Zelenskyy were confirmed. Russia’s demands, reiterated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, include barring Ukraine from NATO membership, recognizing Russia’s annexation of four southeastern regions, and ending Western military support for Kyiv—terms that effectively demand Ukrainian capitulation.

The Istanbul talks, set against the backdrop of an informal NATO summit on defense spending attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are seen as a critical juncture. European officials will also be present to support Ukraine’s negotiating team, which has had little time to prepare. Should the talks falter or Putin continue to delay a ceasefire, Europe aims to leverage the outcome to convince Trump that Putin is the primary obstacle to peace, potentially unlocking U.S. sanctions with significant economic and symbolic weight. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has already prepared a sanctions package with broad congressional support, awaiting Trump’s approval.

Zelenskyy’s cautious alignment with Trump’s demands stems from a February fallout with Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance, which strained U.S.-Ukraine relations. Fearing a complete withdrawal of U.S. support, Zelenskyy has navigated a delicate balance, even as Europe pushes for a harder line against Russia.