Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House in Washington, on October 17, 2025. HANDOUT / AFP PHOTO / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
A discreet approach has prevailed, yet the concern, and even dismay, has been palpable. While European leaders have sought to avoid antagonizing Donald Trump, they plan to use two upcoming meetings, in Brussels on Thursday and London on Friday, to continue forming a united front behind Ukraine, which the American president once again pressured to agree to talks with Vladimir Putin's Russia.
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Trump backtracks again on Ukraine and expresses confidence in Putin
Recent talks between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, held in Washington on Thursday, October 17, had dashed the hopes held by the Ukrainian leader and his allies across Europe. "Trump has once again adopted all of Putin's talking points," said a European diplomat. "We're back to square one, even though the Europeans had managed, after the fiasco of the Anchorage summit on August 15, to get his ear."
