Trump's comments on Ukraine echo Russian diplomacy rhetoric

"'You know it’s nice to say they want their land back, but the cities are largely destroyed,' He suggested the Russian army may have spared Kyiv because the Kremlin eventually intends to use it or occupy it. 'They’ve done a lot of damage but relatively, compared to the other cities, it’s very little. But many of those other cities are gone, those beautiful towers, beautiful buildings that they had are now laying on their sides destroyed," Politico reports Trump saying.

When asked later whether he believes that Ukraine should give up its territories to Russia, he replied that he will "let him know after the first meeting" with Vladimir Putin.

"We'll be talking to President Putin, and we'll be talking to the representatives, Zelensky and representatives from Ukraine," Trump said

The president-elect's remarks came ahead of Thursday's European Union summit, which is set to focus on security and prepare the Union for Trump. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, NATO Chief Mark Rutte will meet with representatives of countries informed on Ukraine, including President Andrzej Duda.

- In Poland and Ukraine, within government circles, there is a belief that Trump lacks a plan to end the war. The Republican leader reiterates certain theses of Keith Kellogg, his envoy for Russia and Ukraine, but does not have his own credo. And worse still, Trump sometimes repeats clichés of Russian diplomacy - says Zbigniew Parafianowicz, journalist of "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna," reporter, and author of books on Ukraine.

The interviewee of Wirtualna Polska highlights what Trump said at the press conference. - He suggested that Ukraine has lost, through destruction, part of its territories to Russia. Even if - as in the case of Bakhmut - the scale of damage is indeed significant, and rebuilding will be extremely difficult and time-consuming, the message is that Kyiv must come to terms with this definitively. In Europe and Ukraine, they understand the scale of destruction, but no one, maybe except Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, mentions it publicly - emphasises Parafianowicz.

In his view, this weakens Ukraine's negotiating position in prospective talks with Moscow.

- Trump, in essence, has started talking like the permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya. On Tuesday, he admitted during a UN Security Council meeting that Russia is ready for negotiations but only with those willing to "accept reality and end the war." Trump should not meet such expectations - believes the journalist of "DGP".

Parafianowicz believes that both Europe and the USA should aim to maximise costs on the Russian side.

- As far as the negotiating position is concerned, the issues are not straightforward, but Trump is not helping. Particularly for NATO's eastern flank countries, including Poland, which are interested in maximising costs for Russia, such as escalating sanctions or continuing to arm Ukraine. Situations in Syria or Sub-Saharan Africa show that Putin is struggling there. Further weakening of Russia should be in Trump's interest - believes the interviewee of Wirtualna Polska.

Although, as he simultaneously admits, the US president-elect may change his approach to ending the war more than once.

- If he is humiliated or somehow defeated by Putin, as an egocentric and narcissist, he will persistently do the opposite of his current actions. And he will continue to arm the Ukrainian army. Trump is a businessman. First and foremost, he will prioritise US interests. Among other reasons, this is why Ukraine is not currently planning long-term for what will occur in the coming months of the war. With such a president in the White House, rational planning is not feasible - emphasises Zbigniew Parafianowicz.

At the Monday conference, Trump admitted that resolving the conflict will be challenging. He did not hide his discontent over Joe Biden's decision, which allowed Ukraine to use American ATACMS ballistic missiles against targets inside Russia. He claimed that this decision "brought the Koreans" when, in reality, it was a response to North Korean soldiers' involvement in the war.

- Why did they do it without consulting me? I wouldn't have allowed it. I think it was a big mistake - he assessed. Asked whether he would reverse this decision if he returns to power, he mentioned he might consider it.

According to Zbigniew Parafianowicz, these comments undermine US policy toward Ukraine and strip the state of continuity.

- A similar opinion was shared on social media by his son, who organises his thoughts. Trump should not express this publicly. It also undermines Western military efforts in supporting the Ukrainian army and again weakens Kyiv's negotiating position - assesses the expert.

As he highlights, Trump himself must decide: does he want the USA to be perceived as an unreliable partner or as a guarantor of security?

- If the United States abandons Europe as an ally, it will lose credibility as a guarantor of world order. And not only on our continent but also in the eyes of Taiwan, South Korea, or Japan. Doubts will arise. And this means that countries with potential and resources will initiate nuclear programmes and take care of their security independently – says WP Parafianowicz.

In his opinion, Poland also has a role to play in this.

- Firstly, we start the presidency of the European Union at the beginning of next year. From this position, we will engage with Trump. Secondly, there is an opportunity to utilise the good relations of Poland's President Andrzej Duda with the American leader. There is still time to conclude his second term at the Presidential Palace with a significant statement - concludes the expert.