Western capitals are racing to reassure Kyiv after signals that a prospective deal between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could undercut the coalition that has backed Ukraine since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion. European Union officials, allied governments and diplomatic interlocutors say they are intensifying political, financial and security commitments to prevent any agreement that would see Ukraine forced to cede territory or accept a negotiated settlement on Moscow’s terms.

“Of course all these efforts are welcome, but we don’t see Russia really wanting peace,” top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas told reporters in Luxembourg on Monday, encapsulating a wider skepticism in Brussels about Moscow’s intentions and the durability of any bargain crafted without Ukrainian consent. Kallas and other EU figures have expressly rejected the concept of a peace deal that would require Ukraine to surrender Russian-occupied land, stressing that such an outcome would violate basic principles of sovereignty and international law.

The diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of mounting unease in European capitals over signals from certain political actors that could lead to a decoupling of Western policy. Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, whose close ties with both Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin have repeatedly tested European unity, remains a particular flashpoint. His continued outreach to Moscow has worried other EU leaders already balancing internal cohesion with the need to sustain pressure on Russia.

Beyond strategic and territorial concerns, officials in Brussels and allied capitals have voiced economic anxieties. Some diplomats privately warn that any perception of a transactional withdrawal of Western resolve could erode the euro’s standing in international markets and complicate efforts to coordinate sanctions and wartime financing. As a consequence, several governments are urging the United States, Japan and other major partners to align policies more closely with Europe’s approach, both to preserve a unified deterrent and to maintain financial credibility.

For Kyiv, the rush of offers and reassurances is both necessary and delicate. Ukrainian leaders insist that any negotiated outcome must respect the country’s internationally recognized borders and the rights of its citizens. A settlement imposed externally, without Ukraine’s meaningful participation, would risk legitimizing territorial conquest and undermining the post-World War II norm against the acquisition of land by force.

The current episode underscores broader geopolitical tensions in which domestic politics in Washington intersect with European security imperatives and East–West diplomatic rivalry. If reports of a Trump–Putin understanding gain traction, they could prompt a recalibration of alliances, with NATO and EU institutions forced to navigate competing pressures: to demonstrate resolve while preventing escalation.

Analysts note that the coming weeks will be critical. The tone and substance of statements from Washington, Tokyo and Brussels will shape market expectations and the strategic calculations of Kyiv and Moscow alike. For now, the predominant message from Europe is clear: any peace must be Ukrainian-led and consistent with international law, and efforts to broker a deal that rewards territorial gains through aggression will face determined resistance.