Ukraine and Europe brace as Trump's Russia outreach deepens

US President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to normalize relations with Russia, including easing sanctions and facilitating diesel exports, alarming Ukraine and Europe. Ukrainian officials report a temporary loss of US intelligence on ballistic missiles, which Washington denies. Trump has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the main obstacle to peace, while Kyiv remains united behind its leader, hoping for another American policy reversal. The moves follow Trump's early October agreement with Vladimir Putin to return 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the market. Ukraine now looks to rely on a strong Europe as a counterweight, given the unpredictable US stance. The situation marks a feared escalation of the worst-case scenario for Kyiv and European allies.