Former Russian President Criticizes Pro-Ukraine European Coalition, Says It Failed to Steer Trump

JAKARTA - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said European leaders have failed to "control" US President Donald Trump regarding Russia-Ukraine peace deal efforts.

"The anti-Russian and belligerent coalition failed to defeat @POTUS on his territory," Medvedev said in a post X, reported by Reuters on Tuesday, August 19.

"Europe thanks and fawns over him (Trump)," he continued.

Medvedev said the question is "what song" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will play "about guarantees & territory in his own country, once he returns to his green military uniform."

Trump told Zelenskyy on Monday that the United States would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end the war in Ukraine, although the extent of the assistance was unclear.

Trump had previously told Zelenskyy that the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end the war with Russia there, although the extent of the assistance was unclear.

Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted President Zelenskyy and several European allied leaders, following last week's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Accompanying President Zelenskyy were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

But a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine appears to be a long way off.

Trump said he favors the concept of a ceasefire, but that both sides can work toward a peace deal while the fighting continues.

"I hope they can stop, I want them to stop," he said.