Trump’s Call With Putin Sparks Concerns Of A "Dirty Deal" In Europe

 President Donald Trump’s extended phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised alarm across Europe, fueling fears that a backroom deal could be struck to end the war in Ukraine on Moscow’s terms—without Kyiv’s involvement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear on Thursday that Ukraine would not accept any peace agreement negotiated solely between the U.S. and Russia. He expressed frustration that Trump spoke with Putin before reaching out to Kyiv, questioning whether the long-standing policy of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" was being abandoned.

Both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have since stated that Ukraine will be included in the talks. However, when asked if he considered Ukraine an equal partner in negotiations, Trump simply responded, “That’s an interesting question.”

European Leaders Push Back

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, warned against a rushed settlement that might favor Moscow, stating that Europe and Ukraine must be active participants in any discussions. “Any deal behind our backs will not work,” she emphasized, adding that appeasement has historically failed.

For European NATO members, Trump’s approach to Ukraine has thrown future security into uncertainty. The continent has long depended on the U.S. for its nuclear umbrella, military presence, and defense funding. Now, there are growing concerns that Washington might push through a deal while leaving Europe to handle its consequences.

NATO’s Role in Question

Following Trump’s announcement of peace negotiations, Hegseth informed NATO allies that European and non-American troops would be responsible for enforcing any agreement between Ukraine and Russia. He also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations, saying it was “not a realistic outcome.”

A NATO official countered by insisting that membership was not a matter for negotiation with Russia but rather a decision for NATO allies. “The alliance’s position has not changed, and Ukraine is still on a path to membership,” the official stated.

However, Trump’s direct engagement with Putin—without consulting NATO leaders—has raised fears that the U.S. may be sidelining Europe in its decision-making.

European Security in the Spotlight

In a joint statement, leaders from six European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK, emphasized that Ukraine and Europe must be central to any negotiations. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė pointed out that Europe contributed $125 billion in aid to Ukraine last year—more than the U.S.—and asserted that Europe had “earned a place at the table.”

Šakalienė and her Baltic counterparts are particularly alarmed by Trump’s approach, arguing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense. “We can either fall under the illusion that Trump and Putin will solve this for us—which would be a deadly trap—or we can embrace our own economic, financial, and military capacity,” she said.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius voiced skepticism over the idea that a peace deal would lead to long-term stability. “Putin is constantly provoking the West. It would be naive to believe the threat would actually diminish after such a peace agreement,” he warned.

Defense Industry Struggles to Keep Up

While European leaders are calling for increased defense spending, the reality is that military production cannot be ramped up overnight. The head of French defense giant Dassault, Éric Trappier, cautioned that building a robust European defense industry would take “many years, even decades.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed these concerns, noting that “Russia produces in three months what the entire NATO alliance produces in a year.” European weapons manufacturers have also complained about bureaucratic delays in Brussels that slow procurement decisions.

The Challenge Ahead

As European nations scramble to respond to Trump’s sudden pivot on Ukraine, historical parallels loom large. Some fear a repeat of the 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi Germany to expand unopposed. Others recall the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when Western inaction allowed Moscow to crush democratic movements.

For decades, the U.S. has shouldered much of the burden for Europe’s security. But with Washington now demanding that NATO members increase their defense spending to as much as 4–5% of GDP—potentially exceeding even U.S. levels—Europe is facing a stark new reality.

The next test of the transatlantic relationship will come at the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, are set to meet with European leaders. Whether they can reassure NATO allies or deepen existing rifts remains to be seen.