Trump’s Envoys and Putin’s Aides Begin Negotiations—Without Ukraine at the Table
The Saudi meetings between U.S. and Russian officials signal a potential shift in global power dynamics, as Trump’s envoys sit down with Putin’s inner circle—without Ukraine at the table. The message is clear: decisions about Ukraine are being made behind closed doors.
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov discuss “bilateral relations,” the real issue is Ukraine—and European leaders are panicking. Macron’s emergency Paris summit reflects growing European anxiety over being sidelined. Britain and Sweden are considering peacekeepers, while Germany hesitates, wary of direct military entanglement.
Trump, a master of power politics, appears to be negotiating from a position of leverage, knowing that Putin wants relief from Western sanctions. But Zelenskyy’s absence from these talks raises serious concerns—Ukraine’s fate may be sealed without its input.
If these talks set the stage for a larger Trump-Putin deal, the question remains: What is Ukraine being asked to sacrifice? Security guarantees? NATO membership? Territory? Europe fears a repeat of history—where major powers decide the fate of a smaller nation without its consent.
With Zelenskyy scrambling to secure American and European support, the next few weeks could determine the future of the war—and the balance of power in Europe. If Ukraine is locked out of these discussions, its sovereignty may be the first casualty of these negotiations.
