What is Europe afraid of in the negotiations over Ukraine’s future?

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is now the primary issue for senior officials in European capitals. Their biggest concern is what will happen to Ukraine, Eurasia Group noted. The EU has already agreed on one overriding priority: to do everything possible to convince Trump that Ukraine should enter negotiations from a position of strength and that a bad deal for Ukraine would make the US look weak on the international stage.

The EU is particularly wary of the talks becoming a “mini-Munich.” This would not only lead to immediate territorial losses for Ukraine but also threaten further Russian advances, a large wave of Ukrainian refugees to the EU, and require Ukraine to forego NATO membership and, perhaps, jeopardize its aspirations to join the EU.

To avoid this and strengthen Ukraine’s position, “more money needs to be put on the negotiating table,” experts say. The €50B G7 loan will last until the end of 2025. Therefore, additional financing will demonstrate support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027.