Here in Europe, There's Fury over Trump's Betrayal of Ukraine [View all]

Edwin Eisendrath

I am in Europe today, where a mix of outrage, fear, and a sense of betrayal is very real. Simply put, people are furious at Donald Trump’s brazen sellout of Ukraine to Russia.

Before describing the reaction to the plan let’s review the facts. Trump told Ukraine to sign a 28-point peace deal this week or lose American support. The plan gives Russia territory beyond the ground it already occupies. It limits Ukraine’s future military options. It puts constraints upon Ukrainian diplomatic and military ties to Europe and the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Senators that deal was a Russian plan, not an American one. Reuters that the deal was cemented at a meeting in Florida with a sanctioned Russian banker who leads one of Putin’s sovereign wealth funds, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff is a real-estate wheeler dealer with no foreign policy experience, and also Trump’s peace negotiator. Kushner is banned from government service because of contracts with foreign nationals, and also Trump’s negotiator. The deal includes unlocking billions in frozen Russian assets for investors to use to rebuild (and profit from) Ukraine.

-snip-

An angry Europe responded quickly and in unison. The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen made clear that Europe will not accept a deal that changes borders by force or one that limits Ukraine’s future military capabilities. The E.U. together with Germany and France released a counter proposal. The European Parliament and Council warn that weakening Ukraine’s defenses endangers all of Europe. Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Minister of Defense says many points in the deal are simply “unacceptable.”

https://www.lincolnsquare.media/p/here-in-europe-theres-fury-over-trumps