President Trump on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin will need to make concessions as part of any peace agreement ending its war on Ukraine.

“Yeah. He will. He’s going to have to,” Mr. Trump said during his first Cabinet meeting. 

He declined to say what those concessions would be, instead deferring to Vice President J.D. Vance, who traveled to Europe and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“We’re not going to do the negotiation in public with the American people. [Mr. Trump is] going to do it in private with the president of Russia, president of Ukraine and other leaders, and I think that’s how it has to go,” Mr. Vance said.

When asked later about concessions Mr. Putin might have to make, Mr. Trump shifted toward Ukraine, saying it can “forget” about NATO membership. 

Mr. Trump also took a shot at European leaders, saying they’ve left the U.S. with billions in debt because of trade deals tilted toward the EU.

“I mean, look, let’s be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it,” he said.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.