In a striking departure from recent US foreign policy doctrine, President Donald Trump on May 19 condemned America’s extensive role in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, asserting that the war should have “remained a European situation” and criticizing President Joe Biden for involving the United States so deeply. Speaking to reporters at the White House following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump framed the conflict as a burden unfairly shifted onto American shoulders by the previous administration.

“This is not our war. This is not my war,” Trump said during the briefing. “We got ourselves entangled in something that we shouldn’t have been involved in. And we would have been a lot better off – and maybe the whole thing would have been better off – because it can’t be much worse. It’s a real mess.”

The comments reflect Trump’s long-standing skepticism of US military and financial commitments abroad, especially those tied to NATO obligations and Eastern European security. But this time, the statement carries significantly more weight, as it follows direct diplomatic engagement with both President Vladimir Putin and other key European leaders.

Trump’s remarks came after what the Kremlin described as a “substantive and quite candid” phone conversation with President Putin, who reiterated Moscow’s willingness to pursue a peace agreement with Ukraine. According to the Russian president, the key goal is “to eliminate the root causes of this crisis,” signaling that Russia is prepared to work with Kiev on drafting a memorandum for peace.

Trump echoed that sentiment, stating he........

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