European governments are increasingly concerned that US President Donald Trump’s administration could seek to reshape the continent’s security architecture as part of negotiations with Russia. According to the Financial Times (FT), citing sources familiar with the matter, the alarm intensified following Trump’s remarks after his meeting with Russian presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

The US president offered no details about the discussions but raised the prospect of a major agreement extending well beyond Ukraine to encompass Europe as a whole. Trump also expressed confidence that such a deal would satisfy all parties involved.

Further unease followed comments from Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is involved in efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kushner revealed that Washington had already discussed not only security guarantees for Ukraine but also the future of European security arrangements with Kiev, NATO and European governments.

His remarks caught European partners off guard, particularly because officials insist that talks on Europe’s broader security framework should not take place while the conflict in Ukraine continues.

One European official told the FT that negotiations on European security would not run alongside efforts to end the fighting. The official also stressed that European governments understood Russia’s objectives and would not accept them.

Sources speaking to the newspaper disputed the suggestion that discussions about NATO’s future had taken place. They maintained that the participants shared a firm position: neither changes to the alliance’s structure nor reductions in its presence were under consideration.

The deeper concern in European capitals is that Washington could use negotiations over Ukraine to pursue a much broader understanding with Moscow. European officials fear that such an arrangement could restore a Russian sphere of influence and undermine the sovereignty of NATO member states bordering Russia.

Another major worry is that the United States and Russia could reach a bilateral agreement that compromises the security interests of European countries.

An unnamed European Commission representative emphasized that the European Union must retain control over decisions affecting its own security.

The EU also opposes negotiations with Russia on a new European security architecture before the Ukraine conflict ends. Brussels insists that European representatives must participate directly in any talks concerning the continent’s future security arrangements.