"We had quite heated discussions about Ukraine", President Donald Trump told reporters on 10/12. His comments followed phone calls with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Trump indicated disagreements, stating, "We have a few minor disagreements and we'll see how things unfold. Before proceeding with a meeting, we need to know more." He added, "They want to hold a meeting this weekend in Europe, but we will make a decision based on their response. We don't want to waste time."

US President Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion in the Roosevelt Room, White House, 10/12. Photo: AFP

President Trump is urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a US-proposed plan to end the conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials on 10/12 confirmed Kyiv sent an updated draft of the plan to Washington.

The initial US plan proposed that Kyiv cede to Moscow areas in the Donbass region not yet under Russian control. Kyiv and its European allies opposed this, arguing it was too favorable to Moscow. The plan was subsequently revised.

Adding to the diplomatic challenges, negotiations between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin last week yielded no breakthroughs.

President Trump's remarks are the latest indication of a growing rift in US-European relations. He previously described the continent as "declining" and "weak" on issues like immigration and Ukraine. The US administration also released a new national security strategy, stating Europe risked "civilizational erasure."

Vu Hoang (According to AFP)