Trump’s Peace Talks With Putin Spark Global Concerns

The European allies are worried about Ukraine’s position in peace talks, thus stressing the involvement of Ukraine in the negotiation process. 

European Allies furious over Peace deal with Russia:

European allies said the US and Russia would not hold peace talks without Ukraine’s involvement. NATO allies insisted that Kyiv must be part of any negotiation process. Trump’s announcement about starting peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin left European partners in shock. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, however, denied that the move was a betrayal of Ukraine’s war efforts.

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European Leaders Reject ‘Dirty Deal’:

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the idea of a “dictated peace.” Germany’s defence minister criticised Washington for making early concessions to the Kremlin. European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas called it an act of appeasement. Moreover, Kallas said at a NATO meeting in Brussels, “We cannot accept any deal made behind our backs.”

Ukraine demands a seat at the table:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly rejected any deal without Kyiv’s involvement. He stressed that Ukraine must be part of any negotiations and stated, “We will not accept any agreement without our participation.” He warned that Putin aimed for direct US-Russia talks, thus sidelining Ukraine. He urged Washington to coordinate with Ukraine before engaging with Moscow.

Trump defends his plan:

Trump reassured Ukraine that it would not be excluded from peace talks. While speaking at the White House, he said, “The war in Ukraine has to end.” He also revealed plans to meet the Russian leader in Saudi Arabia for peace talks. Trump’s plans sparked fears among European allies that Ukraine might be left out of key discussions.

No betrayal, Just Peace:

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth insisted that the US remains committed to peace without abandoning Ukraine. He stressed that the world wants peace. That is why it is not betrayal. Hegseth acknowledged that both sides would have to make compromises. But he maintained that Ukraine’s security remained a US priority.

Kremlin welcomes Trump’s move:

The Kremlin praised Trump’s willingness to negotiate and confirmed that preparations were underway for a Trump-Putin meeting. The Kremlin stated, “The time has come to work together.” Moscow wants broader European security issues to be part of the agenda.

NATO’s growing concerns:

European leaders fear that Trump may push Ukraine into a weak peace deal. They worry that Russia will gain an advantage while Europe bears the cost of post-war security. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasised that Ukraine must be closely involved in all negotiations. He said, “Kyiv’s voice is essential.”