Allies fear Trump favors Putin over Zelensky in Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump's statement that Russia is "behaving perfectly normally" toward Ukraine has alarmed Kyiv residents and European allies, reinforcing fears that Washington is siding with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in the war, according to Politico. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in the European Parliament that American negotiators have been trying to push Ukraine toward capitulation for nearly two years, adding that Ukraine has not surrendered to Putin's terms thanks to significant European support. European officials are puzzled by Trump's shift, with some attributing it to personal preferences, including his affinity for authoritarian leaders. Former British minister David Lidington suggested Trump's hostility toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dates back to 2019, when Trump sought help investigating Joe Biden, and was reinforced by the February 2025 Oval Office meeting. European diplomats note Trump has never criticized Putin while repeatedly attacking Ukraine, with one calling the administration "pro-Russian."