FT: European leaders fear that Donald Trump could strike a deal with Vladimir Putin that would weaken NATO and restore Russia’s influence in Europe

European officials fear that the Donald Trump administration could strike a separate deal with Moscow as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, undermining NATO and allowing Russia to rebuild its sphere of influence in Europe, the Financial Times reports.

Concern has grown after Trump met with Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, at the White House and said that the future agreement would involve “more than Ukraine,” possibly even all of Europe. Jared Kushner later announced that the United States was working on a new framework for European security, including Russia’s involvement.

European capitals reject the idea of negotiations on the continent’s security architecture before the war ends and insist that any decision must be made with the participation of the EU and NATO. Brussels maintains that the European Union must decide on issues affecting its security.

Trilateral US–Russia–Ukraine talks are scheduled to take place next week in Abu Dhabi. Officials cited by the FT fear, however, that Moscow is using the issue of security guarantees to delay the negotiations while intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.