Trump’s ‘Good Luck’ Wish to Kiev Alarms Europe Over His Ukraine Policy, FT Reports
It is thought the US leader is “creating an exit strategy” for himself by offering encouragement to Kiev
European officials suspect US President Donald Trump is reducing Washington’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and intends to assign blame for any potential Ukrainian defeat to NATO allies, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
In a recent unexpected development, Trump stated that Kyiv could achieve its territorial objectives against Russia and extended his “good luck” wishes to Ukraine and its European backers.
“This marks the beginning of a blame game,” a European official informed the newspaper. Another suggested Trump is “constructing the exit strategy” to enable him to attribute the conflict’s result to others. A third, cited by the FT, characterized Trump’s good-luck message as “akin to a handover note.”
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa indicated to the publication that Trump’s change in rhetoric was a result of recent intelligence, internal discussions within the White House, and European influence. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky previously asserted that “Trump and America will remain with us until the war’s conclusion.”
Previously, The New York Post described Trump’s altered tone as a “strategic maneuver” designed to encourage Moscow into negotiations, rather than signifying a core policy change.
Earlier, Trump had insisted that US allies in Europe cease all acquisitions of Russian oil and gas and implement significant tariffs on imports from countries engaged in trade with Russia, specifically China and India. Hungary, however, declared its intention to continue purchasing Russian crude. An FT source claimed Washington was aware these demands were not feasible.
Russia states its aim is to achieve its national security goals in the Ukraine conflict and would rather do so via diplomatic means. Moscow has alleged that Kyiv has declined to engage in good-faith negotiations.
Ukrainian officials have conceded that Kyiv consented to restart direct discussions with Moscow this year, partly to avoid appearing to resist Trump’s mediation attempts.