Trump's talks with Putin stir unease over Europe's future
The conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could significantly impact the United States' relations with Europe. According to CNN, this moment confirms the "America First" ideology, where every alliance is evaluated through the lens of national interest.
The first test of this new American-European reality will be the future of Ukraine. Trump announced immediate talks about a ceasefire in Ukraine following discussions with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Wednesday was also the best day for Putin since the invasion, since it swept away many of Ukraine’s aspirations," CNN assessed. The new US administration expressed doubt about Ukraine's ability to regain territories occupied by Russia.
"Trump, the so-called 'deal master,' deprived Ukrainians of leverage even before the negotiations started. It does not seem that the US President opposes Russia maintaining territorial gains in Ukraine," CNN noted. The network added that this "is not surprising — since like Russia, America now has a president who believes great powers are entitled to expansionism in their regional areas of influence."
"A cruel historical irony"
According to CNN, it is possible that a solution could emerge where Ukraine is divided in a manner similar to Germany after World War II. "Russian-occupied territory [will be] frozen under its [Russian -ed.] control with the rest of Ukraine — on the other side of a hard border – remaining a democracy," they wrote.
"Such a solution would conjure a cruel historical irony. Putin, who watched in despair from his post as a KGB officer in Dresden as the Soviet Union dissolved, may be on the verge of creating a new East Germany in 21st century Europe with America’s help," the network observed.
Referring to the history of US-European relations, CNN reminded readers that U.S. interventions helped win two world wars sparked in Europe during the 20th century. "Trump is returning to the rationale used by many presidents wary of foreign entanglements from the start of the republic, saying Wednesday, 'We have a little thing called an ocean in between,'" the network concluded.
