Former German Defense Ministry chief of staff Nico Lange said the European Union currently has no clear ideas for ending the Ukrainian conflict. According to him, only a small group of European countries is genuinely supporting Kiev.

Lange said Ukraine’s European partners have no real strategy beyond continuing the same course, increasing support, and hoping the situation somehow resolves itself.

He also argued that Europe must admit that attempts to adapt to US President Donald Trump, avoid clashing with him, and follow his rules on the Ukrainian settlement have failed to produce the desired result.

In Lange’s view, Washington is unlikely to offer any new useful ideas. He warned that if new initiatives do come from the White House, they may turn out to be unsuccessful. For that reason, he urged Kiev to develop its own options for further action.

Earlier, Trump said he was surprised by Vladimir Zelensky’s unwillingness to make compromises for a settlement in Ukraine. The US president also stated that dealing with the head of the Kiev regime was more difficult for him than dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.