At the Berlin Security Conference, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker categorically rejected the claim that President Donald Trump is "closer to Vladimir Putin than to European partners." The statement came in response to a remark by congress president and MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who noted that European politicians are "somewhat puzzled" by such an impression. "I am forced to reject this categorically. Perhaps that is how it is perceived on the European continent. But that is definitely not true," the American diplomat stated, as reported by RBC-Ukraine citing Ukrinform.
Washington's Goal is a Peace Agreement
Whitaker emphasized that the priority of the Trump administration is to achieve a peace agreement and end Russia's war against Ukraine. At the same time, he acknowledged that Vladimir Putin "is who he is" and expressed doubt about his readiness to agree to what Washington considers a reasonable settlement. "We may want him to be different. We may want him to agree to what we all consider a sensible agreement. But he won't agree," the ambassador stated. According to him, this is why it is necessary to look for common terms that both Ukrainians and Russians could agree to.
The Fifth Year of War and Complexity of Negotiations
Assessing the prospects for a settlement, Whitaker pointed out that the war has been going on for the fifth year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "And it has proven to be very complex, as we all know," he noted, without disclosing details of specific negotiation tracks. The diplomat also expressed dissatisfaction with European politicians constantly criticizing the negotiation process itself rather than its result. In his view, the formal presence of European representatives at the negotiating table is less important than the actual end of the conflict and the establishment of lasting peace.
"If Europe's Voice Tips the Scales"
Whitaker added that Europe is already participating in relevant consultations and in supporting Ukraine. "If Europe's voice at the negotiating table becomes what tips the scales, then they should be there," the ambassador stated, effectively setting a condition for full European participation in the final phase of negotiations. This statement can be seen as a signal from Washington that the US intends to conduct negotiations in a predominantly bilateral format, while Europe's role will be determined by its ability to influence the outcome.
Context: Divergence in Assessments of Readiness for Peace
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Washington believes Ukraine and Russia have reached a stage where they are ready to conclude a peace agreement. However, Ukrainian negotiators do not share this assessment. Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, the Trump administration is pushing Kyiv toward a peace agreement with Russia that could involve territorial concessions in the Donbas. In exchange for such concessions, Washington is offering Ukraine potential economic benefits. Thus, days before the Berlin conference, the American diplomat's public rhetoric about "equal terms for both sides" comes against the backdrop of internal disagreements in assessing the negotiating positions of Kyiv and Moscow.
