A senior European official has warned that Vladimir Putin is attempting to influence Donald Trump by dangling the prospect of massive economic incentives, raising fresh concerns in Europe about Washington’s priorities on the war in Ukraine.

The warning emerged after the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure European leaders about the direction of U.S. foreign policy under a Trump administration. Despite those assurances, European officials privately expressed unease over Trump’s relationship with the Kremlin.

Journalist David Rohde, reporting after conversations with European officials, said Moscow appears to be using what they believe is its most effective leverage with Trump: promises of lucrative business opportunities. Speaking on Morning Joe, Rohde said a senior European source claimed Russian intermediaries are floating enormous economic figures in back-channel talks with Trump-linked envoys.

According to Rohde, Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently alleged that a Kremlin aide discussed potential U.S.-Russia economic agreements worth as much as $12 trillion with Trump associate Steve Witkoff. Analysts quickly questioned the credibility of such claims, noting that Russia’s entire economy is estimated at around $2 trillion.

Rohde also cited reporting from the Wall Street Journal highlighting Trump-affiliated figures pursuing private business deals in the Middle East and potentially Russia. European officials fear these interests could blur the line between diplomacy and personal or political gain.

The central concern, Rohde said, is whether economic incentives could outweigh strategic priorities—namely continued U.S. support for Ukraine—at a critical moment in the conflict.

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Key Takeaways

• European officials fear Putin is courting Trump with promises of huge business deals.

• Claims of trillion-dollar U.S.-Russia agreements are widely viewed as unrealistic.

• Allies worry economic interests may overshadow Ukraine policy priorities.

Senior European leader warns Putin is now 'dangling money in front of Trump': MS Now

2 hours ago, bannork said:

A senior European official has warned that Vladimir Putin is attempting to influence Donald Trump by dangling the prospect of massive economic incentives, raising fresh concerns in Europe about Washington’s priorities on the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, European leaders do likewise with China.

Human rights, exploitation of Africans and concerns for the plight of Uyghurs takes a back seat to European profits. I do wonder why Europeans are so quiet about about an actual ethnic cleansing of the Uyghurs and their slave labour camps in the PRC.

The hypocrisy of Europe and the UK is on full display with the UK and EU's trade data from 2024 and into 2025. One does marvel at the verbal gymnastics and empty reasons the UK & Europeans continue to offer for their actions. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands win the trifecta of double standards. In 2024, total trade in goods between the EU and Russia amounted to €67.5 billion, The EU’s imports were worth €35.9 billion and were dominated by fuel and mining products – especially mineral fuels (€22.3 billion, 62.1%), manufactured products, such as chemicals (€2.8 billion, 7.8%) and iron and steel (€2.6 billion, 7.2%). The EU’s exports to Russia in 2024 totalled €31.5 billion. They were led by chemicals (€13.7 billion), food and raw materials (€5.9 billion), and machinery and transport equipment (€4.1 billion.)  Germany has the lion's share of the trade.

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/russia_en

It is ridiculous when the UK carries on about the Russian threat, yet still issues 50,000 visas every year to Russian tourists and business people. Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Russia was £1.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a215e33bc3750e7652fe7/russia-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2026-02-02.pdf

It would be nice if the EU and UK led the way in dealing with Russia since they are the people who have the most to lose when the Russians roll into western Europe and the Baltic nations.

15 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

exploitation of Africans

In Europe?

4 hours ago, bannork said:

According to Rohde, Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently alleged that a Kremlin aide discussed potential U.S.-Russia economic agreements worth as much as $12 trillion with Trump associate Steve Witkoff. Analysts quickly questioned the credibility of such claims, noting that Russia’s entire economy is estimated at around $2 trillion.

So who are the "war monger's"?

Yes the Russians can deliver cheap gas to the US , so they can sell

it with BIG profit to the dumbf euro's.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Human rights, exploitation of Africans and concerns for the plight of Uyghurs takes a back seat to European profits. I do wonder why Europeans are so quiet about about an actual ethnic cleansing of the Uyghurs and their slave labour camps in the PRC.

The EU and Canada have decided to build a "strategic partnership" with China, knowing this undermines the US, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. And the antecedents for this strategic relationship were there before the latest Trump administration's actions. Euros and Canadians were laying the groundwork for this under Biden's tenure. So, tell me, just why shouldn't the US explore a similar relationship with Russia? In fact, it shouldn't be a question; it should be a commonsense response. The US should care no more about threats to Europe from Russia than Europe does about threats to the US from China.

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

In Europe?

In Africa. Have a look at Chinese operations in Africa. There are few if any labour employment or health and safety standards when it comes to the African workers.