Many in Europe skeptical as Trump hints at deal with Putin

Key Takeaways:

• European reaction to Trump’s suggested deal with Putin is largely skeptical
• CBS News correspondent Holly Williams reports from Kyiv, Ukraine
• Doubts center on whether Vladimir Putin truly wants to end the war
• The story links key figures: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and Putin
• Published by CBS News on 19 Aug 2025, highlighting ongoing uncertainty

Europe Reacts to Trump’s Hint
Many in Europe greeted former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that he could strike a peace deal with Vladimir Putin with pronounced doubt. The skepticism was captured in a CBS News report headlined “Many in Europe skeptical as Trump hints at deal with Putin.”

View from Kyiv
Reporting from the Ukrainian capital, correspondent Holly Williams noted that “skepticism about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end his war is growing.” From Kyiv’s streets to its government offices—ground zero of the conflict—the idea of a swift diplomatic breakthrough appears remote.

Is Putin Ready to End the War?
Central to Europe’s hesitation is a basic question: does Putin actually want peace? As Williams observed, the war’s daily toll in Ukraine feeds widespread disbelief that the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate an end to hostilities.

Key Figures at the Forefront
The CBS News report places Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and former U.S. leader Donald Trump on the same geopolitical stage, underscoring how any proposed deal would need the assent—and genuine commitment—of all three.

Unresolved Prospects
For now, Europe’s prevailing sentiment is one of cautious—if not outright—skepticism. Until concrete steps emerge from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, Trump’s hinted deal remains a distant prospect, clouded by doubt on the continent most affected by the conflict’s outcome.