Politico: Europe's strategy for Ukraine is changing because of Trump

The strategy of European countries towards Ukraine is changing in accordance with the US desire to bring Kiev to the negotiating table with Moscow, Politico writes.

"The strategy towards Ukraine in Europe is quietly changing in accordance with the changing tone of the United States — from promises of unyielding support to an attempt to force Kiev to sit down at the negotiating table with a firm hand," the newspaper writes.

According to Politico, the new strategy will be most clearly manifested at the Munich Security Conference, which will be held from February 14 to 16. As a source told the publication, the United States and Ukraine discussed long—term security guarantees before the conference - they include weapons and intelligence assets, such as satellites, which the Europeans cannot provide.

"This is a clear departure from the era of (US President Joe) Biden, when the meeting confirmed that the US and its allies will support Ukraine ... as long as it takes," the publication concludes.

Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine interfere with the settlement, directly involve NATO countries in the conflict and are "playing with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the United States and NATO is directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The Kremlin stated that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to negotiations and will have a negative effect.

Earlier, the Semafor portal, citing Western officials, reported that US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, told Washington's allies that he was preparing options for ending the conflict on Ukraine, in order to then present them to the American leader.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation in January, stated that the purpose of resolving the conflict on Ukraine should not have a brief truce and a respite for regrouping forces and rearmament in order to continue the conflict, but a long-term peace. According to him, the Russian authorities will continue to fight for the interests of the Russian people, this is the meaning of the special operation. The world on Ukraine, Putin noted, should be based on "respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all peoples who live in this region."

In turn, Trump said that Vladimir Zelensky was ready to conclude a deal to resolve the conflict on Ukraine, but did not specify on what terms. At the same time, the American leader noted that a conversation with Putin could happen "very soon."