At a NATO meeting in Brussels, Western defense ministers strongly reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine, voicing concerns that President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia might attempt to sideline Ukraine in negotiations to end the war.
The meeting, held on Thursday, underscored NATO’s position that Kyiv must be included in any discussions about its future.
The controversy arose following a phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin on Wednesday, during which Mr. Trump characterized their conversation as a potential starting point for negotiations.
The Kremlin further stated that a meeting between the two leaders could be arranged “fairly quickly.” However, there was no immediate indication of Ukraine’s involvement in such talks, sparking concerns among Western allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in response, remained cautiously optimistic, stating that he had spoken with Mr. Trump and believed that U.S. influence could help pressure Russia into a fair peace agreement that includes Ukraine and its Western partners.
NATO’s Firm Stance
In Brussels, NATO leaders made it clear that Ukraine must play a central role in any negotiations. “It is crucial that Ukraine is closely involved in all talks on its future,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized. Similarly, British Defense Secretary John Healey reinforced this position, stating, “There can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine, and Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks.”
These statements come amid growing anxiety over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine under a possible Trump administration. Mr. Trump has previously suggested that Ukraine may need to make concessions to Russia, concessions that Kyiv has long dismissed as unacceptable.
A Potential Win for Putin?
Mr. Trump’s statements and the possibility of U.S.-Russia negotiations have raised fears that Moscow could emerge from the war with territorial gains, despite its military struggles since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, have indicated that Mr. Putin believes in addressing the “root causes” of the war, signaling that Russia may demand extensive concessions from Ukraine and Western nations as part of any peace deal.
U.S. Position and Defense Secretary’s Response
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended Mr. Trump’s call with Mr. Putin, asserting that the former president was committed to a negotiated peace and an end to the bloodshed. When asked if Ukraine was being sidelined, he dismissed the concern, stating, “There is no betrayal there.”
Additionally, Mr. Hegseth reiterated that the United States does not support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as part of a peace settlement. He also called a return to Ukraine’s 2014 borders—before Russia annexed Crimea—“unrealistic.” These remarks marked a significant shift from previous U.S. policies supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Mr. Trump suggested that reciprocal visits between himself and Mr. Putin were likely, with Saudi Arabia potentially hosting the talks. Notably, Ukrainian officials were not mentioned in these preliminary plans. The Kremlin confirmed its interest in a meeting with Mr. Trump “fairly quickly,” but no specific dates have been set.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kyiv on Wednesday to push for an agreement that would involve Ukraine granting access to its natural resources in exchange for continued American military assistance. His visit underscored an economic rather than a security-first approach by the U.S., raising concerns about the prioritization of financial interests over Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Economic and Global Reactions
Following the Trump-Putin call, Russian markets responded positively, with the ruble experiencing a surge to its highest levels in months. Investors speculated that Western sanctions on Russia might be eased if negotiations progressed. China, a key economic and military partner of Russia, also welcomed the prospect of an end to the conflict, as indicated by a statement from its Foreign Ministry.
Despite the potential diplomatic opening between the U.S. and Russia, NATO allies have made it clear that Ukraine must have a central role in any peace talks. The uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy toward Ukraine under Mr. Trump’s leadership has raised concerns that Kyiv could be pressured into an unfavorable settlement.
With international markets and key global players closely watching, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether these discussions will move forward—and whether Ukraine’s sovereignty will be upheld in the process.
Main Image: By UK Government – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137875981
