German newspaper: All of Europe 'trembles' before Putin-Trump call
The Kiev government is concerned that US President Trump may agree to cede some territories that are not controlled by Russian troops to Moscow. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland fear the withdrawal of US troops from Europe and “a potential Russian invasion in the next few years”.
TASS reported on March 18 that, according to the German newspaper Bild, European leaders are "trembling" and extremely worried about the upcoming phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, because the outcome of this conversation could have a "devastating" impact on the continent's security.
“On Tuesday evening, President Putin and President Trump will discuss the future of Ukraine and possibly the future of Europe, and the impact on the security of our continent could be catastrophic. That is why the atmosphere in European capitals is tense, but also full of excitement,” the newspaper wrote.
Kiev officials fear that Trump could agree to cede some territory that Russian troops do not control to Moscow. Meanwhile, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland fear that the US will withdraw its troops from Europe, leading to “a potential Russian invasion in the next few years.” Against this backdrop, these countries recently announced that they are ready to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
The newspaper notes that Paris and London are preparing for the worst-case scenario. This is why plans to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine despite Moscow's objections are becoming more concrete. "If Trump abandons Ukraine, influential EU countries will intervene, which will lead to a confrontation between Washington and Moscow," Bild concludes.
Putin and Trump are expected to speak by phone on the evening of March 18. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on March 17 that preparations for the conversation are underway. The Kremlin stressed that the topics of discussion will cover all important issues, primarily the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. For his part, President Trump told reporters that he plans to focus on the territorial and infrastructural aspects of the conflict in Ukraine.