Supporters of Kiev reacted with shock and outrage to U.S. president Donald Trump's message that he had spoken to Vladimir Putin and "start negotiations with him immediately" on the war in Ukraine.
Senator Adam Schiff, a longtime Trump critic who was the chief prosecutor in the first Republican impeachment trial, called the president "a large dealmaker — for the Kremlin".
"Today president Trump called our enemy, Russia, before calling our ally, Ukraine. Meanwhile, his defence secretary ruled out Ukraine's future in NATO and restored Ukrainian sovereignty on its own lands. Let us not beat around the bush what this means: giving up the interests of Ukraine and our own, even before negotiations begin" — wrote on X.
Black Day for Europe
Trump said that in the "untoo distant future" he intends to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia. It will be their first gathering since the inauguration of the presidential Republican.
The advanced typical of the Union for abroad Affairs and safety Policy Kaja Kallas issued a message late in the evening on behalf of a group of states covering France, Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
‘The independency and territorial integrity of Ukraine shall be unconditional’ at the time of the peace talks. Our precedence must now be to strengthen Ukraine and supply it with robust safety guarantees," she wrote in a statement.
Marko Mihkelson, president of the Estonian Parliament's abroad affairs committee, spoke in a harsher tone. “Today can go back to past as a black day for Europe” — wrote on X. He added that it was time for European leaders to "take their destiny into their own hands."
“It was not a good war”
U.S. Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth urged Ukraine to abandon its hopes of regaining the full territory occupied by Russia. Her return to pre-2014 borders called it an "illusory objective".
On Wednesday, Trump repeated Hegseth's words. He told journalists in the White home that Kiev's recovery of all the land is “little likely”. any of them will come back. I think any of them will come back, yes," he added.
Former British abroad Minister James Cleverly criticized Trump's negotiating strategy. “Starting negotiations by uncovering out what 1 organization should quit is not a good move. It's not a strong decision to make it seem like an invasion pays off. Regimes watch closely, he said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski put on a good face for a bad game. — Together with the US, we are planning further steps to halt Russian aggression and guarantee lasting, reliable peace. As president Trump said, let's do it,” he said, adding that both leaders agreed to stay in contact and plan future meetings.
However, Trump later refused to answer the question whether Kiev should play an equal function in the peace process. “This is an interesting question,” he told the journalist. I think they gotta make peace. It wasn't a good war. “He added.
"The Interest of All Democracy"
Trump's words provoked criticism on both sides of the Atlantic. Kiev supporters condemned US president for blaming Ukraine for Russia's invasion of its territory.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for the establishment of a "fair peace" and for Ukraine and Europe to sit at the table with the US to enter into negotiations.
“ All we request is peace. JUSTICE PEACE. Ukraine, Europe and the United States should work together on this. TOTAL," wrote on X.
Ohio congresswoman Marcy Hood called Ukraine "a line of freedom conflict on the European continent". She said that Zelenski “must conduct all negotiations on behalf of his people.”
Trump and Putin are more affirmative to talk Hungary, which maintains close relations with the Kremlin.
"For 3 years we lived in the shadow of war, and for 3 years we hoped the war would end. Today, thanks to a telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, we have come a large step closer to fulfilling this hope,” wrote Hungarian abroad Minister Pater Szijjarto on Facebook.
Canadian Liberal candidate for Prime Minister and Russia's long-standing observer Chrystia Freeland said Ottawa "stands firmly on the side of Ukraine".
"Supporting them is in the interests of all democracies. Ukraine must become a full associate of NATO," she wrote on X.
