FT: Ukraine peace talks fizzle out as Trump’s focus shifts to Iran

Trump looks at Zelensky like a boa constrictor looks at a rabbit
Photo: AFP

The US-led peace process in Ukraine is fizzling out because Donald Trump is losing interest in the talks and his war against Iran is easing pressure on Russia, officials say, ‘Financial Times’ quotes.

The conflict in the Middle East has diverted Washington’s attention from a peace deal, according to four EU diplomats involved in talks with Ukraine. At the same time, the diplomats said, it was benefiting Russia through higher oil prices, a suspension of US sanctions and the rapid depletion of American munitions Kyiv needed.

The negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials, mediated by the US, were “really in the danger zone”, said a senior European official.

“The Middle East has severely reoriented political attention” away from Ukraine, one of the EU diplomats said. “For us, and for Ukraine, it’s a disaster.”

EU countries had been told that US arms shipments, particularly air defence, would be delayed as Washington prioritised Middle Eastern customers, the diplomats said, with major ramifications for Kyiv.

EU leaders are sceptical that peace talks will succeed without further pressure on Moscow. But they see the process as a way of maintaining US engagement in Ukraine.

EU leaders have tried to keep Ukraine in the spotlight since the US-Israeli attack on Iran began two weeks ago. France’s Emmanuel Macron hosted Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday to counter what an Élysée official described as the “eclipse effect” of the Iran war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the White House three days after the US and Israel began their attack on Iran. Merz came with maps and charts to make the case for increased pressure on Moscow.

But Trump was disinclined to discuss in detail and remains convinced that Russia is strong and Ukraine is weak, say people familiar with the discussion. There was also no sign of US willingness to dial up pressure on Putin.

Over the past week, US officials told European counterparts that there would be no further sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, two of the EU diplomats said.

“The administration has consistently avoided putting pressure on Moscow and has focused instead on offering incentives to the Kremlin,” said Andrew Weiss, vice-president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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