Trump’s Ukraine “Peace” Push Is a One-Sided Sellout That Has Kyiv Losing Faith in the US

When it comes to the war in Ukraine, the Biden administration made one principle clear: no negotiations with Russia over Ukraine’s head. “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” was the mantra. The Trump administration? Not so much.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s chief negotiator on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has reportedly traveled to Moscow eight times since March 2025 — but hasn’t set foot in Kyiv even once. This one-sided engagement signals where Trump’s loyalties lie: not with Ukraine’s sovereignty but with Moscow’s demands.

The centerpiece of this troubling approach was the August 2025 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, between Trump and Putin. Russian officials have since touted an “Anchorage understanding” that supposedly laid the groundwork for ending the war. Yet the details remain murky, and the deal appears heavily skewed in Russia’s favor.

Putin openly spoke about settling the conflict, but notably framed it as a “peace in Ukraine,” ignoring that this is a war between Russia and Ukraine — not an internal Ukrainian dispute. Trump echoed Putin’s optimism but deferred responsibility to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, saying it was “up to” him to get the deal done. More damningly, Trump reportedly told European leaders he supported Kyiv ceding all of Donetsk province to Moscow, a move that would reward Russian aggression and undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

This stance is reflected in the controversial 28-point peace plan unveiled last November by Witkoff and his Russian counterpart. Point 21 explicitly calls for the US to recognize Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as “de facto Russian.” While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed the US “authored” the plan, the message is clear: Trump’s team is willing to legitimize Moscow’s illegal territorial grabs.

Kyiv pushed back, with a 20-point alternative plan that rejects ceding territory Russia has failed to conquer militarily. But Washington’s mixed signals and pressure tactics have sown confusion and distrust. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy publicly accused US officials of linking security guarantees to Ukraine’s acceptance of Russian control over Donetsk — a charge Rubio denied but one that fits the pattern of Trump’s cozying up to Moscow.

The fallout is stark. Polls show 70% of Ukrainians doubt the US-led talks will succeed, and only 28% see America as a reliable partner. This erosion of trust extends beyond Ukraine, with European allies also questioning Washington’s commitment.

Vice President JD Vance’s dismissive comments about Ukrainians and Russians “haggling” over territory and his pride in ending US financial support for Ukraine only deepen the sense that the Trump administration is abandoning Kyiv to Russia’s designs.

This is not just a diplomatic misstep; it’s a betrayal of an ally fighting for its survival. Trump’s Russia-friendly peace efforts risk cementing Moscow’s gains and undermining the democratic values the US claims to uphold. Kyiv’s growing frustration with Washington is a warning sign: when the US appears to side with the aggressor, it loses credibility, influence, and the moral high ground.

The Biden administration’s insistence on Ukrainian inclusion in any negotiations remains the only credible path forward. Until then, Trump’s “mediation” is little more than a cover for capitulation.