This is reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing Bloomberg. The information comes from Kontrakty.UA.
Trump has abandoned the three-year U.S. policy that dictated nothing should be decided regarding Ukraine without Kyiv at the negotiation table. However, he has also sidelined NATO allies in Europe, who are keen on resolving the conflict raging at their borders, fearing that a more conciliatory stance from America would equate to conceding to Putin.
According to one official, Europe did not receive prior warning about Trump’s phone call with Putin.
During comments at the Munich Security Conference, others labeled this as "betrayal," expressing concerns that the U.S. is yielding key demands from Putin without gaining anything in return.
"In any negotiations, Europe must play a central role," stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Any agreement made without Europe, she asserted, "will not be lasting," according to Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denies that Trump's call amounted to a betrayal of Europe, calling him "the best negotiator on the planet" and asserting that the U.S. "recognized the incredible commitments" made by allies. Peace negotiations, he said, "will require both sides to acknowledge what they do not want."
"It is extremely important that once an agreement is reached, it does not fall apart," stated NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
European leaders emphasized the ongoing necessity for Europe to invest more in its own defense, a long-standing demand from Trump, which has resurfaced given his skepticism regarding the NATO alliance. Hegseth also reiterated calls for the alliance to increase spending to 5% of GDP.
In Europe, efforts were made to demonstrate to the Trump administration the full extent of their financial support for Ukraine: Rutte noted that in 2024, over half of the expenditures were covered by allies excluding the U.S.
Recall that Trump stated on February 12 that he had directly communicated with Putin. He mentioned having a "long and very productive phone call," during which they agreed to visit each other's countries and initiate immediate talks to end the war.