In a recent interview, international politics expert Risto E. J. Penttilä assessed that U.S. President Donald Trump is shifting his focus away from the Ukraine war, suggesting that he does not view it as his responsibility. Instead, Trump is perceived to be delegating peace negotiations to his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Penttilä emphasized that Trump's rhetoric has evolved; he initially characterized the conflict as President Joe Biden's war but has now reframed it as a European war that the U.S. is supporting rather than a collective Western effort.

Penttilä points out that Trump is intentionally distancing himself from the conflict, reflecting a broader strategy in American foreign policy. He noted that the U.S. has now clarified its role in the Ukraine conflict, positioning it as a European issue that requires European leadership with U.S. backing. This rhetoric aligns with Trump's historical reluctance to engage deeply in overseas conflicts that he perceives as not directly related to American interests.

Looking ahead to Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, Penttilä speculates that it would not be surprising if Trump omits Ukraine from his speech entirely. This suggests a potential shift in American political discourse regarding Ukraine amid changing geopolitical dynamics, with implications for U.S.-European relations and the ongoing conflict with Russia.