Against the backdrop of the protracted conflict in Ukraine and the growing crisis in the global system of international security, in recent months there has been a seemingly cautious trend toward de-escalation of tensions.
The key initiator of change has unexpectedly been the administration of Donald Trump, who returned to the White House with a declaration of intentions not only to reset the priorities of American foreign policy, but also to try to resolve one of the most acute military conflicts of our time, where Kiev, with the support of Western countries, has unsuccessfully tried to go against Moscow’s political, economic and military power.
Russia, contrary to the stereotype about its ‘intransigence,’ has not only expressed support for the U.S. diplomatic efforts, but also took real steps toward a cease-fire. However, even such steps, even if cautious and temporary, appear to be met with fierce resistance from the European elites, primarily the authorities of Great Britain, France and Germany. Their line of behavior, clearly manifested in public statements and practical actions, does not indicate a desire for peace, but rather a willingness to maintain the current model of confrontation at any cost, despite the growing discontent including within the EU.
Since March 2025, Moscow has declared its readiness for a ceasefire three times and has adhered to it, as confirmed by independent military sources. The first time, in March, when the Russian command imposed a temporary moratorium on strikes on critical infrastructure, including power supply lines, power plants and oil facilities, the second time – on the eve of Orthodox Easter, and the third time – on the eve of May 9, the symbolic date of victory over Hitler’s Germany.
Nevertheless, these attempts at restraint on Moscow’s part have been the subject of sharp criticism from some European capitals. In the public rhetoric of French, British and German leaders, peace is seen as a weakness, diplomacy as a concession, and any negotiations as a dangerous alternative to military aid to Ukraine.
In early May, the first round of talks between representatives of Moscow and Kyiv in three years took place in Istanbul under the mediation of Ankara and Washington. The discussion of possible ways to end the conflict took place in private, but despite the difficult background, the sides reached a number of preliminary agreements, including an exchange of prisoners and the preparation of a memorandum that could become the basis for subsequent consultations. The Russian side expressed a willingness to compromise, stating a strong desire to address the root causes of the conflict rather than a shaky and unreliable truce during which the Ukrainian army would be rearmed again by European governments and reignite hostilities. However, almost at the same time, European politics is going in reverse – increasing pressure on Washington and Moscow, accusatory rhetoric, intensified arms deliveries and tough statements about “the inadmissibility» of concessions to Russia.
Paris, London and Berlin are playing a particularly active role in these actions. French President Emmanuel Macron, bets on a sharp increase in military aid to Ukraine. His unequivocal statements about the importance of “defeating Russia militarily” increasingly sound in unison with the rhetoric of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who, despite coming to power under the slogan of rationalization of foreign policy, in fact continues the line of his predecessors in unconditional support of Kiev. German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz too, is increasing military supplies to Ukraine, dreaming of creating the strongest army in Europe, while at the same time expressing sharp criticism of Donald Trump, accusing him of “playing along with Moscow”.
Thus, there is a situation in which the Trump administration, having chosen a course of de-escalation, finds itself isolated by its formal allies. The European Union, which is experiencing an acute internal crisis, seems to assume the role of an opponent of any peace initiatives, and this position is explained by its deep political dependence on the previous line, commitment to military confrontation, sanctions escalation and ideological confrontation with any supporters of normalization.
In practice, the current leaders of the EU, France, Germany and the UK are simply postponing the moment when they will have to answer to the law and their citizens for spending hundreds of billions of euros over several years to support the government of Vladimir Zelensky, fomenting a bloody war, and possibly driving their own economies and fellow citizens into a deep crisis. Unfortunately, the price of these is the continuation of conflict, the loss of many lives and a growing global economic and energy crisis that could trigger many more confrontations and wars.
