Trump's circle to attack Europe: "Sabbar"

Donald Trump

White House chatter: Europe is destroying peace talks in Ukraine

Nora Fernstedt

Published 2025-08-30 17.01

 

According to Axios sources, Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein / AP

In the corridors of the White House, there is grumbling about Europe.

Sources tell Axios.

Several people in Trump's inner circle believe that European leaders are sabotaging attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine.

It has been two weeks since the summit in Alaska between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and peace in i Ukraine does not seem to be anywhere near in time.

Something that Trump's close associates are now blaming Europe for.

Senior officials in the White House are starting to get tired of European leaders, Axios writes. It is believed that Europe is outwardly supporting Trump, while pressuring Ukraine to stick to what they say are unreasonable expectations for a peace agreement, where Russia will give up occupied territory.

– The Europeans must not prolong the war and try to sneak in unrealistic expectations, while expecting the United States to bear the cost, a top White House official tells Axios.

– If the Europeans want to escalate the war, that is up to them, he continues.

 

Several of Europe's leaders were present at the White House when Zelensky met Trump earlier in August. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

“Europeans are living in a fairy tale”

The strategy of pressuring Zelensky to wait for a “better deal” will only worsen the war, the sources say.

– But some of the Europeans continue to live in a fairy tale and ignore that it takes two to tango, says the senior official.

On the European side, however, they believe that there is no foul play at all going on behind Trump's back. This is what a senior European source, who is involved in the talks with the US on the Ukraine war, tells Axios.

 

The strategy of pressuring Zelensky to wait for a "better deal" will only worsen the war, Axios sources say. Photo: The Russian Defense Ministry/AP

Trump: It's all bullshit

After the summit with Putin, Trump has repeated that the next step must be a meeting where both Putin and Zelensky participate. But Russia refuses. At the same time, Ukraine does not want to discuss any concessions unless Russia comes to the negotiating table.

The situation seems to be making Trump increasingly frustrated.

– Everyone is posing. It’s all bullshit, he said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

It could even go so far as to have Trump withdraw from his diplomatic role, until Ukraine or Russia, or both, change their minds.

“Let them fight it out for a while, and see what happens,” said the anonymous official.