Former President Trump's recent efforts to accelerate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been met with a challenge: convincing European allies of the sincerity of both the U.S. and Russia's commitment to good-faith negotiations. This marks a significant shift from the Biden era's stance of "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," which firmly placed Kyiv in control of its own destiny.

Trump's direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they agreed to initiate immediate negotiations between their teams, preceded his communication with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. This sequence of events, coupled with Trump's positive remarks about Putin, including suggesting Russia's re-entry into the G7, has raised concerns among European partners.

While Trump's Cabinet officials were engaged in discussions at a Munich security conference and a NATO defense ministerial in Belgium, apparent discrepancies emerged between the president's and his administration's public statements. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's initial remarks suggesting an end to the war without NATO membership for Ukraine were later clarified as "everything is on the table." However, Trump reiterated his skepticism regarding Ukraine's NATO inclusion.

Hegseth also emphasized that while a frozen conflict is undesirable, European security shouldn't solely be a U.S. burden, and peacekeeping forces should not necessarily fall under NATO protection. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's task in Germany was to articulate the administration's strategy to European allies and secure their support, a mission facing significant hurdles given the prevailing sentiment that Ukraine's voice must be central to any peace discussions.

The specifics of the Trump administration's vision remain unclear, with the president acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding potential Russian concessions. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance and Rubio's meeting with Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference, following Trump's call with the Ukrainian leader, aimed to address the path towards peace. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's desire for peace, but the realities on the ground, including troop shortages and lagging ammunition production compared to Russia, present significant challenges.

While public opinion in Ukraine favors a swift, negotiated end to the war, the feasibility of reclaiming all lost territory is debated. Experts like Ivana Stradner caution that lasting peace hinges on continued U.S. support for Ukraine even after a truce, emphasizing the need to deter further Russian aggression by ensuring a well-equipped Ukrainian defense.