In a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Turkish President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Turkey offered itself as a potential mediator for talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, emphasizing the urgent need to end the war and achieve lasting peace. Erdoğan’s statement follows a recent meeting between Russian and US delegations in Riyadh, where both sides agreed to continue dialogue towards conflict resolution. Ankara’s position highlights its proactive role in seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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Following a meeting between US and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern, noting the discussions mirrored Russia’s initial invasion demands: demilitarization, territorial concessions, and regime change in Ukraine. Zelenskyy highlighted the parallel between these negotiations and Russia’s previous ultimatums, questioning why such concessions would now be considered. He emphasized that initial international support for Ukraine only materialized after the failure of Russia’s initial offensive, highlighting the absence of Ukrainian participation in the Saudi Arabian talks.
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Following a surprise announcement of U.S.-Russia bilateral talks excluding Ukraine and the EU, concerns arose regarding a potential transatlantic rift, fueled by Vice President Vance’s criticism of European democracies. Despite these anxieties and U.S. pressure for increased European military spending, former President Tusk emphasized the crucial need for a unified EU-U.S. front against Russia. He stressed the importance of finding common ground despite disagreements, actively working to prevent a competitive dynamic between the two entities. Ultimately, Tusk underscored the necessity of significantly increased European defense budgets to meet the evolving security landscape.
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In response to potential reduced US security support for Europe and the exclusion of Ukraine from initial US-Russia peace talks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a potential 100,000-strong European peacekeeping force. This deployment, discussed at an upcoming Paris meeting, aims to guarantee Ukraine’s security and prevent future Russian aggression. Starmer stressed the importance of including Ukraine in all peace negotiations and highlighted the potential for a 25,000-30,000-troop European deterrent force, potentially supported by US intelligence and air power. The proposal underscores growing European concerns about reliance on the US for security.
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President Zelenskyy, in an interview with ARD, criticized what he perceives as US rhetoric aimed at appeasing Putin and hastening a peace deal, even at the cost of Ukrainian territorial concessions. He firmly stated Ukraine will not cede legally recognized territory and expressed confidence in reclaiming all occupied lands, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law. Zelenskyy also highlighted the need for NATO membership to be included in any negotiations and disagreed with assessments suggesting that regaining the 2014 borders is unrealistic. He further asserted that a ceasefire, without the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, is not a genuine success.
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Ten years after Russia’s expulsion from the G8 for its annexation of Crimea, Donald Trump advocated for Russia’s reinstatement, blaming previous administrations for the conflict in Ukraine. He further proposed a 50 percent reduction in the US defense budget, contingent on negotiations with Russia and China to achieve similar cuts. Trump asserted that Russia’s invasion was provoked by Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and expressed a belief that Putin desires peace, despite evidence to the contrary. He notably refrained from demanding any territorial concessions from Russia in any potential settlement.
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot deems Russia’s return to the G7 currently impossible due to its undemocratic actions and aggression against G7 members. He highlighted Russia’s increasingly autocratic nature and its unprovoked war in Ukraine as key obstacles. However, Barrot left open the possibility of future reintegration contingent upon a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and renewed engagement with the Russian people. This contrasts with recent statements by US President Trump advocating for Russia’s reinstatement.
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President Trump announced his intention to restart nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China, aiming for a 50% reduction in all three countries’ defense budgets. He expressed concern over the immense cost and destructive potential of the global nuclear arsenal, emphasizing the need for collaborative spending cuts. Trump’s proposal follows previous failed attempts to include China in such negotiations, with China maintaining its stance that the U.S. and Russia must first significantly reduce their arsenals. He plans to initiate these talks after resolving current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
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Next week in Saudi Arabia, a Trump-appointed delegation, including Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Adviser Waltz, will meet with Russian officials to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. These talks, following Trump’s calls with Zelenskyy and Putin, aim to facilitate peace with Ukrainian involvement. While Ukraine’s role is a key concern, the potential agreement’s terms remain undefined, though NATO membership for Ukraine and full territorial reclamation seem unlikely. Further high-level meetings, including a Trump-Putin summit, are anticipated.
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President Zelensky warned that a U.S. withdrawal from NATO would almost certainly lead to Russia occupying more of Europe, starting with former Soviet states. He emphasized that European nations lack the unified response needed to counter such an aggression, leaving them vulnerable to Russian expansion. Concerns heightened by Trump’s close relationship with Putin and reported back-channel negotiations between U.S. officials and Russia regarding Ukraine, excluding Ukraine itself, further fueled Zelensky’s anxieties. Zelensky firmly rejected any agreements made about Ukraine without its direct involvement, while acknowledging Ukraine’s dependence on continued U.S. aid for survival.
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John Q. Hosedrinker