Donald Trump’s latest manoeuvres have left Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with two unenviable choices: either fight on without the United States, the country’s most crucial ally or accept whatever deal Trump brokers in his increasingly cosy exchanges with Vladimir Putin.
For months, Zelensky has walked a diplomatic tightrope, reaching out to Trump while insisting that Ukraine must be part of any negotiations regarding its future. That balancing act collapsed last week when Trump, after a direct call with Putin, only informed Zelensky after the fact—signalling a dramatic departure from years of unwavering US support for Ukraine.
Then came the real bombshell. Adopting the Kremlin’s narrative wholesale, Trump publicly branded Zelensky a “dictator,” warning that if he failed to negotiate with Russia soon, “he won’t have a country left.” His comments sparked outrage across the West, with European leaders expressing disbelief at the speed with which Trump is willing to abandon Ukraine to its fate.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk did not mince his words: “A forced capitulation of Ukraine would mean the capitulation of the entire Western community—with all the following consequences. No one should pretend not to see it.”
Trump’s latest moves have left little doubt about his intentions. He is rushing to cut a deal with Putin, sidelining Ukraine and blindsiding America’s European allies. His administration has sent envoys to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian officials—without Ukrainian or European representatives. Trump has even floated the idea of a direct summit with Putin before the end of the month.
Yet, as Trump speeds towards what looks increasingly like a predetermined surrender, Ukraine’s military remains the strongest in Europe outside of Russia. However, its reliance on US intelligence, weaponry, and financial aid means an abrupt American withdrawal would expose Kyiv dangerously. While offering support, European nations lack the military capabilities to fully replace the United States.
Meanwhile, Trump’s attacks on Zelensky may serve another purpose: coercing Ukraine into accepting a deal that could hand lucrative resource rights to the US. Last week, Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, presented a proposal that would grant America control over more than half of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources in exchange for vague economic support. Zelensky flatly rejected the offer, calling it “not a serious conversation.”
As Trump aligns himself more closely with Putin, his stance has delighted Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov openly praised Trump’s rhetoric: “No Western leader has ever said this before. It shows he understands our position.”
For Europe, the stakes could not be higher. If Trump is willing to abandon Ukraine, what happens next? Will NATO’s eastern members be left wondering who’s next on Putin’s wish list? Will the European Union finally realise that its security cannot rest on the whims of an unpredictable US president?
One thing is sure: Trump’s reckless gamble is not just a betrayal of Ukraine. It is a profound destabilisation of the entire Western alliance, setting a dangerous precedent that America’s commitments are no longer worth the paper they are written on.