The events that unfolded in the Oval Office between the Presidents of Ukraine and the US, lasting 40 minutes, have sent shockwaves across the world. The confrontation between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance, which played out in front of the media, has presented the world—especially Europe—with a new reality.
Trump told Zelenskyy that Ukraine cannot be in a strong position without America, and therefore, he must either sign the agreement or the US will leave the negotiations. Trump warned that if America withdraws from the game, the situation will become significantly worse.
Now, all eyes are on Europe, where Zelenskyy has already arrived in London to meet European leaders.
How might events unfold surrounding the war in Ukraine, and what threats does Europe face if the US ceases its support for Ukraine? Front News spoke with military expert Akia Barbakadze about these and other pressing issues.
-How do you assess the events that took place in the White House on February 28, which played out in front of the media and the entire world? Many believe that Zelenskyy was lured into a provocation and that this was a carefully staged spectacle by the US administration. What did this tense confrontation reveal, and what are President Trump and Vice President Vance demanding from Zelenskyy?
-Unfortunately, what happened in the White House made it painfully clear that Donald Trump’s primary goal is to achieve peace at any cost. He does not care about the consequences for Ukraine. In reality, Zelenskyy and Ukraine were presented with a demand for capitulation.
As of now, the battlefield does not indicate that either side is prepared to surrender. Neither Ukraine nor Russia has achieved a decisive victory or defeat. This so-called peace, which the US is attempting to force on Ukraine, is simply unacceptable. Capitulation cannot be the basis for negotiations.
-Can we say outright that the US is asking Ukraine to give up the territories Russia has already incorporated into its constitution? Does this mean that if Zelenskyy signs a ceasefire agreement, Ukraine will automatically lose four regions—Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk—to Russia?
-Yes, that’s exactly what it means. If Zelenskyy signs this ceasefire, Russia will gain full control over these four regions. Moreover, Moscow does not even fully control Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, but by signing the agreement, Ukraine would be effectively surrendering the remaining areas as well.
There is no way Zelenskyy will agree to this, nor would any other Ukrainian president. The Ukrainian people themselves would never accept it. Ukraine needs security guarantees to protect itself.
The world remembers Ukraine’s bitter experience in the past, when it was forced to give up nearly 2,000 nuclear warheads. If Ukraine still had those warheads, would Russia have dared to invade? Absolutely not.
Given Ukraine’s past experiences—from the Bucharest Summit to the Minsk agreements, which failed to deliver real security guarantees—it is only natural that Ukraine demands concrete security assurances. The current demands on Ukraine would mean disarmament and the surrender of huge territories. Too much blood has been spilled, and too much suffering endured for Ukraine to simply declare capitulation with the stroke of a pen.
-Do you believe Trump is trying to get Zelenskyy to agree before his meeting with Putin, so he can present a pre-arranged deal? If so, it means that Putin is making no concessions at all in these negotiations.
-As I said on February 8, it is impossible to have meaningful negotiations under these conditions. Everyone understands that without firm security guarantees for Ukraine, any ceasefire will only be temporary.
Russia has openly declared that its goal is to destroy Ukraine as a state. Putin has enshrined Ukraine’s occupied territories into Russia’s constitution, violating international law. He now wants Ukraine to surrender as a defeated nation, which is completely unacceptable.
-What scenario do you foresee? Trump and Putin seem to be negotiating behind closed doors, while Ukraine is being forced to accept their terms. What options does Ukraine have?
-This war is not just between Trump and Putin—it is happening on European soil. Ukraine is part of Europe, and it has built an 800,000-strong army that is successfully fighting Russia’s military machine.
Even though Russia has the advantage in airpower, armored vehicles, and manpower, Ukraine has held its ground.
Russia has not achieved its military objectives, so it cannot simply dictate that Ukraine must surrender. Zelenskyy will not agree to Trump’s terms.
However, Europe cannot remain passive. If America truly withdraws its support, then Europe must step up.
-Can we say that after Trump’s statements in Washington, the old security order is over, and Europe urgently needs a new security framework?
-Absolutely. Europe must act fast. A new security order is necessary, and it will likely require the formation of a new military bloc within Europe. European security is now at risk, and this is no longer just about Ukraine. If Russia is not stopped, this war could escalate into World War III.
-Zelenskyy is set to meet the UK Prime Minister and other European leaders. If the US withdraws, can Europe provide enough support?
-If America leaves the game, Ukraine and Europe will struggle. However, we saw last year that even when US aid was delayed for six months, Europe managed to find the necessary resources.
Europe must now accept the reality that comfort must be sacrificed for security. Ukraine needs weapons, ammunition, and reinforcements.
-Trump insists that European peacekeepers should be responsible for Ukraine’s security, but Russia refuses to allow European forces on the front lines. Does this mean that even if Ukraine signs a ceasefire, Putin will still oppose peacekeeping forces?
-Yes, because Russia is in a weaker position than it appears. Trump’s strategic mistake is that he is giving Moscow breathing room.
Europe has the industrial and military capacity to increase arms production and support Ukraine. The only solution now is for Europe to take decisive action and help Ukraine finish the war on its terms. Otherwise, we will see unrestrained Russian imperialism spread across Europe.
Elza Paposhvili
