Trump and Ukraine: Betrayal or Misunderstanding? Analysis of the Consequences of Negotiations with Putin

Kyiv is choked with the bitterness of disappointment. Again. Like an old wound that does not heal, a sense of betrayal surfaces. Washington, seemingly distant and unreachable, is once again becoming closer, but not as an ally, but as a mirror of its own fears. Does Donald Trump really not understand who he is dealing with, or is he cynically using Ukraine in his own game?

US President Donald Trump in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Shadows of Doha: Where it all began

May 14, 2025, Doha, Qatar. US President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Middle Eastern countries. On the sidelines, tense talks about Ukraine are taking place. A few days earlier, on May 19, Trump had a phone call with Vladimir Putin, trying to mediate in the conflict. The result? Doubtful “progress” and another batch of promises that seem to be worthless. Kyiv Independent reports the disappointment of Ukrainian politicians who see Trump's actions as a misunderstanding of Russia's true intentions.

“He doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters”: Reaction from Kyiv

Andriy Osadchuk, a deputy from the Holos faction, said sharply: “Trump does not know how to deal with gangsters.” His words reflect the general mood in Ukrainian politics. Putin, according to many, is simply using Trump to gain time and continue his aggression. And this is happening against the background of the fact that Ukrinform regularly reports new shelling and civilian casualties.

Minsk Agreements 2.0? The Danger of Direct Negotiations

Inna Sovsun, also a member of the Holos party, stresses the danger of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia without intermediaries. “The Russians are only willing to compromise when they feel pressure,” she notes. And here the question arises: is Trump willing to exert this pressure? So far, the answer seems to be negative. After talking with Putin, he said that he would not impose new sanctions against Russia “because there is a chance” for progress. This position is causing outrage not only in Ukraine, but also among European allies. Reuters reports concerns in Brussels about a possible easing of sanctions pressure on Russia.

Putin's Ultimatums: Is There Room for Compromise?

Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s foreign policy committee, emphasizes that Putin is not making any concessions. He continues to insist on his ultimatums and maximalist demands, rejecting proposals for a ceasefire. At the talks in Istanbul on May 15, the Russian delegation repeated its demands for recognition of the annexation of Crimea and four regions, despite the fact that Russia does not fully control them. BBC stresses that such demands make any compromise impossible.

"My life is deals": Does Trump know how to negotiate?

Trump, the author of The Art of the Deal, is once again flaunting his negotiating skills. But in the context of the Ukrainian conflict, these statements sound hypocritical. Olena Galushka of the Anti-Corruption Center notes that the EU and the US should increase pressure on Russia if it refuses to accept the ceasefire. “Russia does not want peace, it wants Ukraine,” she emphasizes. And while Trump is trying to find “common ground” with Putin, Atlantic Council publishes analytical materials on how Trump's policies undermine Ukraine's position on the international stage.

The Price of Failed Negotiations: Life Under Occupation

As negotiations continue in Washington and Moscow, Ukrainians living under Russian occupation are watching with anxiety. A woman from Crimea, who cannot be named for security reasons, said Kyiv Independent, who fears that the negotiations will leave Crimea under Russian control. She is an activist with the Yellow Ribbon resistance movement and continues to fight to show the world that Ukrainians have not given up. “I will continue to resist even if Crimea remains part of Russia, because Crimea was and is Ukraine, regardless of political decisions,” she emphasizes.

European Front: Will Europe support Ukraine?

Amidst uncertainty from the US, the European Union is trying to support Ukraine. On May 20, the EU officially approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, including measures against almost 200 vessels of the “shadow fleet”. Council on Foreign Relations notes that European sanctions have some impact on the Russian economy, but they are not enough to force Putin to change his policy. Will Europe be able to resist Russian aggression on its own if the US steps aside? This question remains open.

Instead of a conclusion: Is there hope?

The situation around Ukraine remains extremely complex. On the one hand, there is support from Europe, on the other - uncertainty from the United States. Will Ukraine be able to survive this struggle? The answer depends on many factors: on the unity of the Ukrainian people, on the support of international partners, and, ultimately, on whether the world will be able to recognize Vladimir Putin’s true intentions. And whether Donald Trump will be able to learn to “deal with gangsters.”