--- title: "US Ambassador to NATO Dismisses Thesis of 'Trump's Closeness to Putin' at Berlin Security Conference" description: "US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker categorically dismissed the thesis of \"Trump's closeness to Putin\" at the Berlin Security Conference, stating that Washington's goal is a peace agreement. Meanwhile, Kyiv does not share Washington's assessment of the parties' readiness for peace." date: 2026-11-04T20:39:51.803Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-ambassador-nato-rejects-trump-putin-closeness-berlin tags: [trump, putin, ukraine-war, nato, berlin-security-conference, peace-talks, donbas, matthew-witkaker] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US Ambassador to NATO Dismisses Thesis of 'Trump's Closeness to Putin' at Berlin Security Conference ![Donald Trump in a blue suit and red tie against a backdrop of blue and red lighting](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/posol-ssha-pri-nato-oproverz-blizost-trampa-k-putinu-berlinskaya-konferenciya/posol-ssha-pri-nato-oproverz-blizost-trampa-k-putinu-berlinskaya-konferenciya-1.webp) ## Key Points - US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker categorically rejected the claim at the Berlin Security Conference that Trump is closer to Putin than to Europe - Whitaker stated that the Trump administration's goal is a peace agreement, but admitted that Putin will not agree to a 'reasonable' settlement - The diplomat expressed dissatisfaction with European criticism of the negotiation process and set a condition for European participation at the negotiating table - Washington believes both sides are ready for peace; Ukrainian negotiators do not share this assessment - According to the NYT, the Trump administration is pushing Kyiv toward an agreement with territorial concessions in the Donbas in exchange for economic benefits 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. ## Accounts differ ### Readiness of Ukraine and Russia to conclude a peace agreement - **Washington (Trump administration):** Ukraine and Russia have reached a stage where they are ready to conclude a peace agreement ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-blizhchiy-putina-nizh-evropi-posol-1793824172.html)) - **Ukrainian negotiators:** Do not share the assessment regarding both parties' readiness to conclude a peace agreement ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-blizhchiy-putina-nizh-evropi-posol-1793824172.html)) *Where they agree:* The war continues, the negotiation process is underway, and both sides acknowledge the need to end it ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Трамп не ближе к Путину, чем к Европе, - посол США при НАТО](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-blizhchiy-putina-nizh-evropi-posol-1793824172.html) - Direct quotes from Matthew Whitaker at the Berlin Security Conference, context of Strack-Zimmermann's remark, mention of Washington's position on the parties' readiness for peace, and NYT data on territorial concessions. All facts in the article are taken from this source. ## FAQ ### Who made the statement at the Berlin Security Conference? US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. His speech was a response to a remark by congress president and MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann. ### What exactly did Whitaker deny? He categorically rejected the assertion that President Trump is "closer to Putin than to Europe," calling this perception untrue. ### What is the Trump administration's goal regarding the war, according to the ambassador? Whitaker stated that Trump aims to achieve a peace agreement and end Russia's war against Ukraine, but admitted that Putin will not agree to what Washington considers a reasonable settlement. ### Do Ukrainian negotiators share Washington's assessment of readiness for peace? No. According to RBC-Ukraine, Ukrainian negotiators do not share Washington's assessment that both sides are ready to conclude a peace agreement. ### What does the NYT report about the possible content of a peace agreement? According to the New York Times, the Trump administration is pushing Kyiv toward an agreement that may provide for territorial concessions in the Donbas in exchange for potential economic benefits for Ukraine.