{"id":2193174,"date":"2026-10-12T16:49:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2193174"},"modified":"2026-10-12T16:49:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:49:55","slug":"blindsided-again-by-trump-europe-puts-on-a-brave-face-and-rallies-behind-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2193174","title":{"rendered":"Blindsided again by Trump, Europe puts on a brave face and rallies behind Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/36\/1200x675_cmsv2_69517617-eb69-5c47-a4f0-d87c984ab8c2-9949036.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2932406-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932406\" data-cid=\"9948979\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932406-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/64\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_bb572708-9a38-59d6-b93f-ecdb06b80c91-9946428.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Felipe VI oversees the parade alongside Princess Leonor\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta troops absent as Spain holds National Day parade in Madrid\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932907-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932907\" data-cid=\"9948538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932907-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/83\/30\/189x106_cmsv2_3c05c45d-9895-5043-a155-504b4e30d8e9-9948330.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Work begins on Portugal&apos;s high-speed rail line\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal begins high-speed rail construction between Lisbon and Porto\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933108-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933108\" data-cid=\"9949432\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933108-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/94\/32\/189x106_cmsv2_255faccb-724f-5cbe-a17b-5d16ddab8065-9949432.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is seen off the shore of the Faliro suburb, in Athens, Greece, Thursday, March 24, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French navy intercepts and boards &#8216;shadow fleet&#8217; ship, Macron says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932991-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932991\" data-cid=\"9949418\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932991-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/88\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_84994b24-42b5-5074-96d9-a38ff26a435f-9948864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Citro\u00ebn\u2019s new 2CV Concept, inspired by its iconic ancestor.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Economy<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Citro\u00ebn&#8217;s iconic 2CV returns as an all-electric model\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932406-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2932406\" data-cid=\"9948979\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932406-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/64\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_bb572708-9a38-59d6-b93f-ecdb06b80c91-9946428.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Felipe VI oversees the parade alongside Princess Leonor\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta troops absent as Spain holds National Day parade in Madrid\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932907-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2932907\" data-cid=\"9948538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932907-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/83\/30\/189x106_cmsv2_3c05c45d-9895-5043-a155-504b4e30d8e9-9948330.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Work begins on Portugal&apos;s high-speed rail line\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal begins high-speed rail construction between Lisbon and Porto\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933108-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2933108\" data-cid=\"9949432\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933108-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/94\/32\/189x106_cmsv2_255faccb-724f-5cbe-a17b-5d16ddab8065-9949432.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is seen off the shore of the Faliro suburb, in Athens, Greece, Thursday, March 24, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French navy intercepts and boards &#8216;shadow fleet&#8217; ship, Macron says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932991-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932991\" data-cid=\"9949418\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932991-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/88\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_84994b24-42b5-5074-96d9-a38ff26a435f-9948864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Citro\u00ebn\u2019s new 2CV Concept, inspired by its iconic ancestor.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Economy<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Citro\u00ebn&#8217;s iconic 2CV returns as an all-electric model\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Blindsided again by Trump, Europe puts on a brave face and rallies behind Ukraine<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/36\/1536x864_cmsv2_69517617-eb69-5c47-a4f0-d87c984ab8c2-9949036.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz lead the &quot;Coalition of the Willing&quot;.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz lead the &#8220;Coalition of the Willing&#8221;.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Rolf Vennenbernd\/(c) Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Rolf Vennenbernd\/(c) Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspJorge Liboreiro\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1791823795\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-10-12 18:49:55 +02:00\">12\/10\/2026 &#8211; 18:49 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"18:55\">18:55<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        European leaders closed ranks and rallied behind Ukraine as news of the diesel deal between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin continued to send shockwaves across the alliance.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Europe is once again trying to save face after US President Donald Trump blindsided the continent by striking a tailored deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to release thousands of tonnes of diesel that had until now been sanctioned.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The news alarmed Ukraine and its European allies, who have long been wary of Trump&#8217;s unpredictable diplomacy and his understanding of what a just and lasting peace means.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions between the two sides of the Atlantic have never fully receded since February last year, when Trump unexpectedly called Putin and launched negotiations to end the war without consulting any European leader in advance.<\/p>\n<p>That was the start of a series of unexpected developments that have rattled Europe and upended its long-held assumptions about the post-war international order. These include a hastily organised Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, a leaked 28-point plan heavily favourable to Moscow and a <strong>sanctions waiver<\/strong> for Russian crude oil.<\/p>\n<p>The diesel deal, announced on Friday on Truth Social, added yet another chapter.<\/p>\n<p>Trump then resorted to a familiar pattern: <strong>public attacks<\/strong> against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy&#8217;s legitimacy and calls for fresh elections. Ukraine&#8217;s constitution bars elections in wartime, a point that Zelenskyy tends to remind Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,&#8221; Trump said to Moscow&#8217;s applause.<\/p>\n<p>As in previous episodes, Europe finds itself scrambling to close ranks, rally behind Ukraine and make clear that, regardless of what the White House does and says, this side of the Atlantic will stay the agreed course.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think we need to be collectively serious. Today, I believe, we have no factual reason to change our position,&#8221; French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/36\/808x454_cmsv2_62c2fe88-3b92-5e10-b74c-dfdad172aa0c-9949036.jpg\" alt=\"Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said emulating the Trump-Putin diesel deal was &#8220;out of the question&#8221; for Europe, despite rising energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure, and that is why we are sticking to our sanctions against Russia,&#8221; Merz told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>A similar message echoed through Luxembourg as <strong>EU foreign ministers met<\/strong> and insisted that the pressure campaign on Moscow would continue unabated. Some openly decried the diesel deal, calling it regrettable and concerning.<\/p>\n<p>Foreign ministers also approved a record-breaking addition of <strong>1,600 names<\/strong> to the sanctions list, half of them linked to the production of ballistic missiles that fall on Ukraine. The contrast between the EU and the US could hardly have been starker.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We showed unity today on these (1,600) listings,&#8221; High Representative Kaja Kallas said at the end of the meeting.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But, of course, it would be much stronger if we had acted together with the US. Our message to the United States is that only pressure works with Russia.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>United in strain<\/h2>\n<p>Although the Trump-Putin deal fits a familiar pattern of erratic diplomacy that sidelines European interests, its grim context sets it apart.<\/p>\n<p>The diesel deal comes at a time when Russia is rapidly escalating its attacks against Ukraine, killing scores of civilians and wrecking the levers that sustain the local economy, including power stations, data centres, warehouses and railways. <\/p>\n<p>Russia&#8217;s blockade <strong>in the Black Sea<\/strong> has left Ukrainian farmers unable to send tonnes of grain to their global clients and deprived the state of an essential revenue source.<\/p>\n<p>As economic activity stagnates and material costs pile up, <strong>the EU is realising<\/strong> its multibillion-euro lines of support will fall short sometime next year. With the US out of the picture, the burden is set to fall on the European pocket.<\/p>\n<p>The prospect of Russia selling diesel that had until now been sanctioned and making extra money to finance the bombs that rain down on Ukraine is particularly difficult to stomach for Kyiv and its allies. It also raises serious questions about how much the US can be trusted to provide security guarantees for the post-war scenario.<\/p>\n<p>And yet, Europe&#8217;s collective assessment remains that there is still more to lose than to gain from breaking away from the Americans. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What we need to do is refocus and redouble our efforts in keeping pressure on Russia,&#8221; Ireland&#8217;s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our priority has to be to maintain that pressure, but also to maintain our channels with the US, because this is not going to be achievable without the support of the US.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/36\/808x454_cmsv2_f65b3468-d5b0-5050-9398-cb9fa612fb10-9949036.jpg\" alt=\"Ukraine is bracing for a cruel winter.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Ukraine is bracing for a cruel winter.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Just as news of the diesel deal broke, senior officials from Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Commission and NATO were in Miami, Florida, for a <strong>round of talks<\/strong> hosted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump&#8217;s special envoys.<\/p>\n<p>The meeting was the first of its kind since the outbreak of the US-Iran war, which has absorbed the White House&#8217;s foreign policy and relegated Ukraine to the second row.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will continue to engage with our partners and also with the US in bringing this war to a close, and the latest example of this has been the talks on Friday in Miami,&#8221; the Commission&#8217;s chief spokesperson said, describing the meeting as a &#8220;positive step&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Europe initially struggled to secure a seat at the negotiating table as Trump and Putin marched ahead with their private calls. It took months after European countries established the \u201cCoalition of the Willing\u201d for them to be brought into the US-led negotiating process.<\/p>\n<p>The statements from Brussels confirm that retaining a seat at the table where Ukraine\u2019s future as a sovereign state and Europe\u2019s security architecture will be decided takes precedence over any diplomatic slight, however pointed or public.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy, whose country is already suffering blackouts ahead of a winter expected to be the harshest yet of the war, agrees that the transatlantic alliance must prevail, notwithstanding the deals that might be cut behind its back.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;An energy ceasefire and other steps to reduce escalation and guarantee security are truly needed here \u2013 in reality, not just on Truth Social,&#8221; Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We need to end Russia&#8217;s war. We need to guarantee security. We need to stand together. Europe and the United States.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Zelenskyy says Russia ignored Trump&#8217;s &#8216;energy ceasefire&#8217; and kept attacking Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU decries &#8216;concerning&#8217; Trump-Putin deal, insists sanctions on Russia will continue<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Zelenskyy hits out at &#8216;gifts to Putin&#8217; after Trump announces deal for Russian diesel<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" 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id=\"abe-2932839-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932839\" data-cid=\"9948081\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Oil prices drop as stocks rise after Trump touts &#8216;energy ceasefire&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932968-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932968\" data-cid=\"9948719\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukrainian strikes on data centres and Russian bot activity in freefall<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932072-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video 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class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU decries Trump-Putin diesel deal, insists sanctions will continue<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Europe is once again trying to save face after US President Donald Trump blindsided the continent by striking a tailored deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to release thousands of tonnes of diesel that had until now been sanctioned.The news alarmed Ukraine and its European allies, who have long been wary of Trump&#8217;s unpredictable diplomacy and his understanding of what a just and lasting peace means.Tensions between the two sides of the Atlantic have never fully receded since February last year, when Trump unexpectedly called Putin and launched negotiations to end the war without consulting any European leader in advance.That was the start of a series of unexpected developments that have rattled Europe and upended its long-held assumptions about the post-war international order. These include a hastily organised Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, a leaked 28-point plan heavily favourable to Moscow and a sanctions waiver for Russian crude oil.The diesel deal, announced on Friday on Truth Social, added yet another chapter.Trump then resorted to a familiar pattern: public attacks against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy&#8217;s legitimacy and calls for fresh elections. Ukraine&#8217;s constitution bars elections in wartime, a point that Zelenskyy tends to remind Trump.&#8221;I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,&#8221; Trump said to Moscow&#8217;s applause.As in previous episodes, Europe finds itself scrambling to close ranks, rally behind Ukraine and make clear that, regardless of what the White House does and says, this side of the Atlantic will stay the agreed course.&#8221;I think we need to be collectively serious. Today, I believe, we have no factual reason to change our position,&#8221; French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said emulating the Trump-Putin diesel deal was &#8220;out of the question&#8221; for Europe, despite rising energy prices.&#8221;Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure, and that is why we are sticking to our sanctions against Russia,&#8221; Merz told reporters.A similar message echoed through Luxembourg as EU foreign ministers met and insisted that the pressure campaign on Moscow would continue unabated. Some openly decried the diesel deal, calling it regrettable and concerning.Foreign ministers also approved a record-breaking addition of 1,600 names to the sanctions list, half of them linked to the production of ballistic missiles that fall on Ukraine. The contrast between the EU and the US could hardly have been starker.&#8221;We showed unity today on these (1,600) listings,&#8221; High Representative Kaja Kallas said at the end of the meeting.&#8221;But, of course, it would be much stronger if we had acted together with the US. Our message to the United States is that only pressure works with Russia.&#8221;United in strainAlthough the Trump-Putin deal fits a familiar pattern of erratic diplomacy that sidelines European interests, its grim context sets it apart.The diesel deal comes at a time when Russia is rapidly escalating its attacks against Ukraine, killing scores of civilians and wrecking the levers that sustain the local economy, including power stations, data centres, warehouses and railways.Russia&#8217;s blockade in the Black Sea has left Ukrainian farmers unable to send tonnes of grain to their global clients and deprived the state of an essential revenue source.As economic activity stagnates and material costs pile up, the EU is realising its multibillion-euro lines of support will fall short sometime next year. With the US out of the picture, the burden is set to fall on the European pocket.The prospect of Russia selling diesel that had until now been sanctioned and making extra money to finance the bombs that rain down on Ukraine is particularly difficult to stomach for Kyiv and its allies. It also raises serious questions about how much the US can be trusted to provide security guarantees for the post-war scenario.And yet, Europe&#8217;s collective assessment remains that there is still more to lose than to gain from breaking away from the Americans.&#8221;What we need to do is refocus and redouble our efforts in keeping pressure on Russia,&#8221; Ireland&#8217;s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said on Monday.&#8221;Our priority has to be to maintain that pressure, but also to maintain our channels with the US, because this is not going to be achievable without the support of the US.&#8221;Just as news of the diesel deal broke, senior officials from Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Commission and NATO were in Miami, Florida, for a round of talks hosted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump&#8217;s special envoys.The meeting was the first of its kind since the outbreak of the US-Iran war, which has absorbed the White House&#8217;s foreign policy and relegated Ukraine to the second row.&#8221;We will continue to engage with our partners and also with the US in bringing this war to a close, and the latest example of this has been the talks on Friday in Miami,&#8221; the Commission&#8217;s chief spokesperson said, describing the meeting as a &#8220;positive step&#8221;.Europe initially struggled to secure a seat at the negotiating table as Trump and Putin marched ahead with their private calls. It took months after European countries established the \u201cCoalition of the Willing\u201d for them to be brought into the US-led negotiating process.The statements from Brussels confirm that retaining a seat at the table where Ukraine\u2019s future as a sovereign state and Europe\u2019s security architecture will be decided takes precedence over any diplomatic slight, however pointed or public.Zelenskyy, whose country is already suffering blackouts ahead of a winter expected to be the harshest yet of the war, agrees that the transatlantic alliance must prevail, notwithstanding the deals that might be cut behind its back.&#8221;An energy ceasefire and other steps to reduce escalation and guarantee security are truly needed here \u2013 in reality, not just on Truth Social,&#8221; Zelenskyy said.&#8221;We need to end Russia&#8217;s war. We need to guarantee security. We need to stand together. Europe and the United States.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/12\/blindsided-again-by-trump-europe-puts-on-a-brave-face-and-rallies-behind-ukraine&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/90\/36\/1200x675_cmsv2_69517617-eb69-5c47-a4f0-d87c984ab8c2-9949036.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Ceuta troops absent as Spain holds National Day parade in Madrid Europe News Portugal begins high-speed rail construction between Lisbon and Porto Europe News French navy intercepts and boards &#8216;shadow fleet&#8217; ship, Macron says Economy Citro\u00ebn&#8217;s iconic 2CV returns as an all-electric model Europe News Ceuta troops absent as Spain [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2193174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2193174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193174\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2193174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2193174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2193174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}