Europe in Shock – British Ambassador Throws His Support Behind Trump

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy faces an ultimatum: sign Trump’s proposed mineral rights deal or risk losing American support and possibly his leadership position.

At a Glance

• Britain’s Ambassador to the U.S., Lord Mandelson, urges Zelenskyy to support Trump’s peace initiative and sign a US-Ukraine economic deal
• Zelenskyy left the US early after a clash with President Trump who accused him of risking a third world war
• The proposed deal would grant the US access to Ukraine’s mineral rights, which Trump claims would deter Russia
• US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz suggests a new Ukrainian leader may be needed if Zelenskyy rejects the deal
• Britain aims to act as a “bridge” between the US and Ukraine with Mandelson calling for a “radical reset” in relations

Britain’s Ambassador Calls for “Radical Reset” in US-Ukraine Relations

In a strong appeal on ABC News’ “This Week,” Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Lord Peter Mandelson, called for immediate action to repair the fractured relationship between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. After their recent meeting ended in discord, Mandelson emphasized the critical need for Ukraine to back President Trump’s peace initiative, describing it as a “radical reset” necessary to align American and Ukrainian interests in ending the ongoing conflict with Russia that has drained Western resources and patience.

The diplomatic fallout follows Zelenskyy’s refusal to sign a proposed economic deal that would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s mineral rights – a move President Trump insists would create American economic interests in Ukraine worth defending. The situation escalated when Zelenskyy abruptly left Washington after President Trump reportedly accused him of being ungrateful for American support and potentially dragging the United States into a wider conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.

Mineral Rights Deal and Leadership Questions

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Zelenskyy, as US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has suggested that a new Ukrainian leader may be needed if the current administration won’t cooperate with Trump’s peace plan. This unusual public signaling from the White House underscores the administration’s frustration with Zelenskyy’s resistance to American initiatives designed to draw down the conflict. The economic deal remains central to Trump’s strategy, creating what Mandelson describes as necessary American “skin in the game” for Ukraine’s future security.

“After what happened on Friday it’s clear that we need to bring the US and Ukraine back together again. I think the first thing that President Zelenskyy can do is make clear his commitment to the initiative that President Trump is taking and yes, I do think it would be a good idea if he signed the economic and commercial deal put forward by the US. Quite apart from the economic gain that Ukraine will derive from that it will also give the US a stake in Ukraine’s future.”

British Prime Minister Starmer has attempted to mediate between the two leaders, but his efforts have been complicated by the White House’s decision to block Zelenskyy’s return after their contentious meeting. Mandelson’s public plea represents Britain’s attempt to salvage the situation by convincing Ukraine to embrace Trump’s approach before American patience – and funding – runs completely dry, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression.

European Responsibility and Ceasefire Proposal

Lord Mandelson’s interview also revealed a significant shift in European thinking – acknowledging President Trump’s long-standing demand that European nations take greater responsibility for their own security affairs. Mandelson explicitly called for European forces to deploy in Ukraine to support a lasting peace, a dramatic departure from previous reluctance to directly engage in the conflict. This suggestion aligns perfectly with Trump’s insistence that Europe handle regional security issues rather than depending primarily on American military power.

“We need a very radical reset. The reset has to consist of the US and Ukraine getting back on the same page. And President Zelensky giving his unequivocal backing to the initiative that President Trump is taking to end the war and to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine.”

The ambassador further proposed that Ukraine should declare a ceasefire first, potentially forcing Russia to reciprocate under international pressure. This approach represents a sharp departure from previous Western insistence that Russia must initiate any ceasefire, reflecting the changing political realities with President Trump’s administration calling for a swift end to the conflict. British leadership appears to have accepted that without American backing, Ukraine’s position continues to weaken – making compromise increasingly necessary despite the difficult political pill Zelensky must swallow.