After Trump's phone call with Putin on Thursday (February 13), Ukraine and European allies strongly demanded participation in all peace negotiations, warning the United States not to bypass them and reach a "dirty deal" with Russia.

Trump's' solo 'peace talks raise concerns

The phone call between US President Trump and Russian President Putin has sparked strong reactions from Ukraine and its European allies. During the call, Trump stated that Ukraine is neither able to reclaim all occupied territories nor will it join NATO. This statement has raised concerns among Kiev and NATO's European allies that the United States may reach an agreement with Russia without their involvement.

The tough stance of Ukraine and Europe

Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized, "As a sovereign state, we cannot accept any agreement without our participation." He pointed out that Putin's goal is to turn negotiations into a bilateral dialogue between him and the United States, and this situation must not happen. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Callas, also stated that "any quick solution is a dirty deal." She condemned making obvious concessions before negotiations began, believing that this was a policy of appeasement, which never worked.

Russia's dual track negotiation plan

Kremlin spokesman Peskov confirmed that Putin and Trump may meet in Saudi Arabia. He stated that Ukraine will participate in the peace talks "in some way", but the US and Russia will set up a separate track for bilateral negotiations. This plan clearly cannot reassure Kiev and European governments, as they are concerned that Moscow and Washington may reach an agreement that would compromise their security.

Trump's proposal for peace talks

On Wednesday, Trump had his first public call with Putin since the outbreak of the full-scale Russia Ukraine war in 2022, and then called Zelensky, saying he believed both sides longed for peace. The Trump administration has publicly stated for the first time that any agreement to restore Ukraine's 2014 borders or join NATO is an unrealistic fantasy. US Defense Secretary Hergeyser called Trump "the best negotiator on Earth" and is facilitating peace talks.

Both sides' positions remain unchanged

Moscow demands Kiev to cede more territory and permanently maintain neutrality in any peace agreement; Kiev insists that the Russian military must fully withdraw, and Ukraine must receive security guarantees comparable to NATO member states to resist future attacks. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister stated that the country is still committed to joining NATO. NATO Secretary General Rutte emphasized that Moscow needs to understand that the West is still united, but pointed out that it has never promised that the peace agreement will include Ukraine joining NATO.

epilogue

Trump's proposal for "solo" peace talks has not only sparked strong reactions from Ukraine and European allies, but also raised global doubts about the future direction of the Russia Ukraine conflict. Against the backdrop of the constantly changing global political landscape, this decision undoubtedly adds new complexity to peace negotiations. How countries will respond to this challenge will become the focus of global attention in the coming period.