Trump's retreat from Ukraine talks hands Putin a victory

EU LEADERS FEAR US PRESIDENT IS LEAVING KYIV AND ITS ALLIES ON THEIR OWN

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Eleven days ago, European leaders took heart when President Donald Trump called for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine and threatened new sanctions on Russia.

A phone call with Vladimir Putin on Monday revealed those hopes were misplaced.

After two hours on the phone with Putin, Trump wrote a social media post saying Ukraine and Russia would “immediately start negotiations” toward a ceasefire — but apparently without the US. There was no sanctions threat, no demand for a time-line, and no pressure on the Russian leader.