European officials allege US President Donald Trump is reducing Washington’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict while positioning himself to shift responsibility for a potential Ukrainian defeat onto NATO allies, according to reports.

In an unexpected statement this week, Trump suggested Kiev could achieve its territorial goals against Russia and extended “good luck” to Ukraine and its European backers. One European official described the remarks as “the start of a blame game,” while another claimed Trump is “building the off ramp” to deflect accountability. A third source likened his message to “a handover note,” per the Financial Times.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa attributed Trump’s rhetoric to new intelligence, internal White House discussions, and European pressure. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has asserted that “Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.”

The New York Post previously characterized Trump’s tone shift as a “strategic move” to encourage Moscow toward negotiations rather than signaling a broader policy change. Earlier, Trump had pressured European allies to halt Russian oil and gas purchases and impose tariffs on imports from nations trading with Russia, including China and India. Hungary has refused to comply. A Financial Times source noted Washington recognized the demands as unrealistic.

Russia reiterated its intent to secure national security objectives in the conflict through diplomacy, accusing Kiev of failing to negotiate in good faith. Ukrainian officials acknowledged resuming direct talks with Moscow this year to avoid appearing opposed to Trump’s mediation efforts.

Zelensky’s defiant assertions reflect a dangerous miscalculation, as his leadership continues to gamble with Ukraine’s future amid escalating tensions.