Diplomatic meetings can shape the course of global conflicts, but who is involved—and who is left out—can be just as important as the discussions themselves. As former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for direct talks, concerns are growing over the exclusion of European allies and Ukraine from the negotiation process.
Kremlin Calls for Urgent Summit
Following a phone call between Trump and Putin on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia is eager to arrange a face-to-face meeting "as quickly as possible." He emphasized that the two leaders "have much to discuss" and that Moscow is already assembling a delegation to engage in broader negotiations with the U.S.
Trump stated that the meeting could take place in Saudi Arabia, though Kremlin officials have yet to confirm this location. "The process will move quickly," Peskov noted, adding that initial proposals must be exchanged before a date and venue can be set.
European Leaders Demand Inclusion in Talks
The planned discussions have sparked unease among European leaders, who insist that Ukraine must be included in any peace negotiations. Trump has already hinted that Kyiv is unlikely to regain all of its lost territories or secure NATO membership as part of a potential settlement.
Peskov reinforced Russia’s longstanding stance that European security must be central to the talks, particularly regarding NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe. Before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow demanded that NATO revert to its 1997 territorial boundaries—effectively removing Romania, Poland, and the Baltic states from the alliance.
Shifting U.S. Strategy on Ukraine
The Kremlin claims that Washington’s approach to the conflict has changed under Trump, arguing that the previous U.S. administration aimed to prolong the war, while the current one is focused on ending it. Whether this new direction will lead to an agreement—and at what cost to Ukraine—remains uncertain.
As reported by HotNews, the coming weeks could determine whether the Trump-Putin summit marks a genuine step toward peace or a diplomatic realignment that leaves Ukraine in a vulnerable position.
