Europe to Trump: You Can Have The Nobel Peace Prize or You Can Have Have An Alliance with Putin, but you can't have both

European leaders are pressing U.S. President Donald Trump to clarify his stance on Ukraine’s war with Russia as he meets with them today, following last week’s summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli radio 103FM reported.

The talks, centered on ending the nearly four-year conflict, highlight a growing divide, with Trump’s ambitions for a Nobel Peace Prize clashing with fears of a U.S.-Russia-China superpower alliance that could sideline Europe and Ukraine.Nino Absadze, a senior Russia analyst, told 103FM that Trump and Putin share a belief that “great powers should run the world,” a view that bodes poorly for Ukraine.

She outlined three possible paths for Trump: abandon Ukraine to align with Putin, support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against Russia, or disengage entirely, leaving Europe to resolve the conflict. “Nothing is clear with Trump,” Absadze said, noting his recent statement that Zelensky could end the war, which she called “not a good option for Ukraine.”The Alaska summit raised alarms after Trump suggested Ukraine cede Crimea and forgo NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees, a proposal Zelensky cannot accept, Absadze said.

Trump’s earlier expulsion of Zelensky from the White House in February 2025, followed by a shift to criticizing Putin, underscores his unpredictable approach. European leaders, wary of a “Yalta 2.0” model where superpowers divide global influence, are pushing Trump to prioritize Ukraine over a deal with Russia, though his desire for a Nobel Prize may drive him toward a quick resolution, she added.Putin, holding nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, may be open to concessions, such as withdrawing from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, but demands recognition of Crimea as Russian, lifting some sanctions, and official status for the Russian language in Ukraine, Absadze noted.

Trump’s realpolitik view, that Russia’s strength allows it to sustain a war of attrition, clashes with Zelensky’s resolve to fight on, despite Ukraine’s inability to reclaim territory. “It’s fair to demand Russia stop and pay reparations, but that’s not the reality on the ground,” she said.Today’s meeting with Zelensky, following their tense history, could be pivotal. Absadze highlighted Zelensky’s symbolic refusal to wear diplomatic attire since Russia’s invasion, signaling his defiance. European leaders hope to sway Trump against aligning with Putin, but his unpredictability leaves the outcome uncertain.