In a significant shift from previous U.S. policy, President Donald Trump’s administration held high-level talks with Russia in Riyadh on Tuesday, leaving Ukraine and NATO allies out of the negotiations. The move has raised concerns that Washington may be willing to offer concessions to Moscow at the expense of Kyiv’s sovereignty and European security.
Trump’s remarks further inflamed tensions, as he falsely claimed Ukraine “started the war” and referred to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “dictator without elections.” His administration’s decision to exclude Ukraine from the discussions marks a stark departure from the Biden-era stance of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
The talks, led by a relatively inexperienced U.S. team, resulted in agreements to restore diplomatic functions and set up future negotiations. However, there was no indication that Russia had made any concessions in return. European leaders, alarmed by Trump’s approach, are now discussing the possibility of deploying peacekeepers, though Russia has rejected the idea.
Trump has signaled his intent to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month, further stoking fears that his administration may be willing to accept a settlement that cements Russian territorial gains. Critics, including U.S. lawmakers and foreign policy experts, warn that such an outcome could embolden Moscow and undermine global security
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