German politician accuses Trump of siding with Russia in Ukraine war
German politician Norbert Röttgen said U.S. President Donald Trump has effectively taken Russia’s side in the war in Ukraine. Röttgen warned that Trump’s pressure may not bring peace but could lead to Ukraine’s military defeat, while urging Europe to increase its support for Kyiv.
Key points
- Röttgen said Trump has taken the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine.
- He believes Trump may not achieve peace but could bring about Ukraine’s military defeat.
- Röttgen urged Europeans to support Ukraine more firmly as Washington increases pressure on Kyiv.
- The Wall Street Journal reported on October 22 that Trump called Elon Musk and asked him to lift Starlink restrictions; Trump declined to confirm or deny the call.
- Trump said Ukraine needs a new president capable of agreeing to end the war.
- Zelensky agreed to hold elections if Russia provided a 60-day ceasefire; Moscow rejected the condition.
- Trump postponed planned sanctions against Russia and signed an agreement with Moscow on supplying Russian fuel to the global market.
Why it matters
Röttgen’s comments represent a significant European criticism of the direction of U.S. policy toward Ukraine. His warning is that Trump’s efforts to force a settlement may fail while weakening Ukraine, escalating the broader war and bringing greater danger to Germany. The dispute over Starlink also highlights the military importance of communications infrastructure and Europe’s lack of an alternative.
What happened
Röttgen said Trump has taken Russia’s side and is willing to make significant concessions to end the war. He believes Trump considers Ukraine the weaker, more dependent party and is prepared to pressure it accordingly, but warned that this strategy may not produce peace and could instead cause Ukraine’s military defeat. He also alleged that Musk temporarily restricted Starlink under Trump’s influence and argued that Trump used Musk to pressure Ukraine because Europe has not provided an alternative to the service.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasized the potential consequences for Ukraine: Trump’s policy could push the country toward military defeat, escalate the war, and increase Europe’s security risks. It also highlighted calls for stronger European backing and the absence of a European alternative to Starlink.
How international sources describe it
German-language coverage centered on Röttgen’s assertion that Trump now stands on Russia’s side and his warning that Ukraine could face defeat while the conflict spreads. The remarks were presented as the assessment of a German foreign-policy figure, alongside his call for greater European support.
Where reporting differs
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump personally called Musk and asked him to lift the Starlink restrictions, but Trump neither confirmed nor denied making the call. Röttgen alleged that Musk restricted Starlink under Trump’s influence, while Trump publicly said only that he would speak with Musk if communications problems arose in Ukraine.
Background
The controversy unfolded alongside Trump’s call for a new Ukrainian president, his claim that Volodymyr Zelensky was not doing enough to achieve peace, and his postponement of planned sanctions against Russia. Zelensky accepted the idea of elections if Russia provided a 60-day ceasefire for their preparation, but Moscow replied that he did not deserve such a truce.