FT: US mediation in Ukraine talks stalls as Trump shifts focus to Middle East

U.S. efforts to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia have hit a deadlock, as President Donald Trump loses interest in the negotiations, officials and diplomats told the Financial Times (FT).

One factor cited was Washington’s campaign against Iran. European diplomats say the conflict in the Middle East has diverted U.S. attention.

Last week, American officials informed their European counterparts that Washington would not tighten sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, according to two EU diplomats. Russia considers the sanctions illegal.

Negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow under U.S. mediation were “indeed in a dangerous zone,” a senior European official said.

“There is indeed a pause in the talks. The Americans have other priorities, and that is understandable,” Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told FT.

One EU diplomat called the U.S. shift in focus “a disaster” for both the European Union and Kyiv. European countries were notified of delays in U.S. weapons deliveries, particularly air defence systems, due to the shift in American priorities, which could have serious consequences for Ukraine, other European diplomats explained.

“This is definitely a problem, because there is competition for the same assets in both the Middle East and Ukraine,” FT quoted EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, acknowledging that U.S. attention is now focused on the Middle East.

By Khagan Isayev