21:12 20-08-2025

EU Strategy Aims to Influence Trump on Russia, Ukraine Peace

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Politico reports EU leaders devised a strategy to back Trump while doubting peace talks with Russia, seeing outcomes as leverage for sanctions or binding commitments.

European leaders have drawn up what they describe as a more effective strategy for dealing with Russia. According to a report by Politico, which cites sources within the European Union, their approach centers on shaping the position of U. S. President Donald Trump, whom they hope will eventually dismiss Vladimir Putin’s statements about being ready to end the conflict in Ukraine as mere bluff.

The essence of the plan is to align themselves with Trump. European governments intend to endorse his initiatives, echo his rhetoric, and openly signal political support. Officials in Brussels, however, reportedly doubt that talks with Moscow could produce any genuine peace.

Diplomatic sources told the outlet that if Putin demonstrates unwillingness to halt the war, Trump would be pushed to act more decisively — a scenario that, in their view, would strengthen the case for tougher sanctions.

The article notes that European officials remain skeptical of Trump’s diplomatic overtures but believe that if agreements with Moscow were broken, the U.S. president would be forced to impose penalties.

In Europe, the strategy is seen as advantageous regardless of the outcome. Should peace remain out of reach, the West would gain grounds to tighten sanctions. If negotiations succeed, the Kremlin would be bound by commitments that would be difficult to circumvent.