Nothing about ending Russia’s war in Ukraine should be decided without the Ukrainians, European ministers assert. In a joint statement, representatives from France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the European Commission underscored the importance of Ukraine’s participation in any negotiations. John Healey, the British defense secretary, echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s the Ukrainians who are doing the fighting. It’s for them to decide when to start talking and on what terms.”

US Stance on Ukraine’s Borders and NATO

A significant shift occurred in the realm of diplomatic tensions as the US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, expressed that returning Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders was unrealistic. Hegseth further opined that the US did not view NATO membership as a solution to the ongoing conflict. These statements highlight a growing divergence between European and US perspectives.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s Unfettered Negotiations

Following Hegseth’s remarks, a notable call took place between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that his teams had agreed to initiate negotiations and that he planned to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia. Trump also signalled flexibility on key issues, noting that he was “OK” with Ukraine being excluded from NATO and suggested a permissive stance towards Russia retaining conquered territories. This development has raised eyebrows among European allies.

International Support for Ukraine

Despite US reservations, several key international allies remain committed to supporting Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for American aid in building an army that could compete with Russia’s forces if NATO membership proved unattainable. In response, Britain announced a generous military aid package worth £150 million, which includes various state-of-the-art weapons and defense systems.

Internal Developments in Ukraine

Ukraine continues to face internal and external challenges. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported an arrest of a high-ranking official from within its own security services, who was reportedly collaborating with Russia. SBU head Vasyl Maliuk personally carried out the arrest, and President Zelenskyy was promptly informed of the operation.

Progress on Kerch Bridge Incident

Legal proceedings related to the Kerch Bridge incident remain ongoing. Eight men went on trial in Russia, charged with a “terrorist act” involving a truck bomb explosion that caused significant damage to the bridge and resulted in four fatalities. The hearings were conducted in closed sessions at a military court in Rostov-on-Don.

Ukraine’s Gas Crisis

The ongoing conflict continues to impact Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak highlighted the country’s need for additional gas imports due to relentless Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian gas facilities. This underscores the vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy sector to external threats.

Future Security and Economic Cooperation

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss a future security and economic cooperation framework. A critical minerals deal between Ukraine and the US could potentially offer Ukraine a robust “security shield” post-war. Zelenskyy expressed hope for signing this agreement at the Munich Security Conference.