A confidential phone call between European leaders this week reportedly revealed deep anxiety over the Biden administration’s approach to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, with top officials expressing fear that Washington may push Kyiv toward a deal favoring Moscow.
According to a report from German news magazine Der Spiegel, written notes from Monday’s conference call show that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron raised doubts about whether U.S. negotiators would defend Ukraine’s territorial and security interests during ongoing peace discussions.
The alleged comments come at a critical moment, with Washington advancing a 28-point peace initiative that European capitals say they were not consulted on, despite bearing the bulk of the economic and military burden of supporting Ukraine since 2022.
Macron Allegedly Warns of Possible “Betrayal”
The magazine quoted Macron as saying there was “a chance that the U.S. will betray Ukraine on territory without clarity on security guarantees.”
The French presidency declined to address the quote directly, stating only that Macron “did not express himself in these terms.” French officials have nonetheless voiced unease in recent weeks over Washington’s rapid diplomacy and its willingness to consider concessions to Russia.
Merz reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to “be very careful in the coming days,” warning that U.S. negotiators are “playing games with both you and us.”
Berlin refused to confirm or deny the comments, citing confidentiality rules governing the call.
Fears Over Trump Envoys in Moscow
According to Der Spiegel, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb also expressed alarm about U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys, businessman Steve Witkoff and White House adviser Jared Kushner, who arrived in Moscow this week for discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
“We cannot leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys,” Stubb allegedly said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reportedly agreed, saying, “We must protect Volodymyr,” underscoring a sense among European leaders that Ukraine’s negotiating position is being shaped without adequate safeguards or oversight from allies that have backed Kyiv militarily for nearly four years.
NATO officials have not commented on the report, while European leaders interviewed by AFP largely declined to confirm details of the conversation.
U.S. Proposal Seen as Too Favorable to Moscow
Washington’s initial peace document, circulated last month, was widely criticized in Europe for echoing core Russian demands, including recognition of Moscow-controlled territories and limits on Ukraine’s military size.
European diplomats privately say the proposal risks codifying Russian gains at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty, setting a precedent for future territorial aggression and undermining decades of security architecture in Europe.
Since then, a flurry of diplomacy has unfolded, with U.S. and Ukrainian officials meeting in Geneva and Florida, and now in Moscow, where Trump’s envoys are attempting to secure concessions they can present as progress.
Zelensky’s adviser Dmytro Lytvyn dismissed Der Spiegel’s report as “provocations,” reflecting growing sensitivity inside Kyiv as pressure mounts to accept a deal that would likely involve territorial losses.
Concern Over U.S. Motivations
European officials are increasingly worried the White House is prioritizing a rapid settlement that would allow Trump to claim a diplomatic victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Analysts say that while Washington may see compromise as pragmatic, European leaders fear it could embolden Russia and weaken Western deterrence, especially in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
Der Spiegel reported that two unnamed participants confirmed the notes captured the essence of the call, but could not verify the quotes verbatim due to the confidential nature of the meeting
