President Donald Trump’s working lunch with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday turned acrimonious when the US leader insisted Ukraine make territorial concessions to Russia to end the war, according to European officials briefed on the meeting.

This sudden change in stance is likely related to Venezuela. Simultaneous support of Ukraine in active conflict with Russia is likely thought to risk over-commitment of DoD resources.

Whatever the outcome of the Trump-Zelensky spat, it is vital that:

• As part of guarantees, Europe put boots on the ground  in Ukraine.
• Ukraine continues to receive intelligence support from the U.S. in the form of technical collections.
• Ukraine continues to receive heavy weaponry from the West.
• The current lines are modified to be defensible.

Anything less is a sham.