As Trump faces mounting resistance to his Gaza proposal, his administration has pivoted toward negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, a move that could reshape European security and redefine U.S.-Russia relations. Washington has signaled urgency by arranging high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. and Russian officials will convene to discuss potential pathways to a peace agreement. Notably, Ukraine has been excluded from these preliminary negotiations, raising alarms in Kyiv and across Europe about the potential for backchannel deals that undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.
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Trump’s direct calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have added to concerns that Washington may push for a settlement on its own terms, potentially at the expense of European allies. His administration has made clear that Europe must shoulder more of the financial and military burden, with estimates suggesting a staggering $3.1 trillion in additional defense spending over the next decade.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders were blindsided by the negotiations, with Scholz warning that any settlement dictated by the U.S. risks severing Europe’s security ties with Washington. German conservatives have echoed the alarm, with CDU lawmakers arguing that Europe must act swiftly to reinforce its own defenses, warning that if Ukraine is left unsupported, "we will soon be next." Shares of German arms maker, Rheinmetal (RNMBY), skyrocketed on the events.

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