Top Russian and US officials meet for talks on Ukraine war without Kyiv
Associated PressFEB 19
US, Russia Hold Talks for First Time Since 2021
Above: US and Russian diplomats attend a meeting together at Riyadh's Diriyah Palace on Feb. 18, 2025. Image copyright: Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
Negotiating with Russia over Ukraine is futile and dangerous. Putin has consistently acted in bad faith, and any "peace" deal would likely result in Ukraine being left vulnerable to further aggression. The idea that the war can be settled diplomatically undermines the necessity of a clear Ukrainian victory. Only decisive military defeat of Russia will ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and preserve international order. Negotiations now would just embolden future conflicts.
Pro-Trump narrative
The world owes Donald Trump a debt of gratitude for preventing World War Three through his decisive peace talks with Russia over Ukraine. By engaging with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump is bringing an end to a devastating conflict that should've never begun, restoring hope for a peaceful future. His leadership, prioritizing diplomacy and reducing US involvement in foreign wars, secures stability and avoids further unnecessary bloodshed.
Pro-Russia narrative
Though Zelenskyy resists, Ukraine’s fate is no longer his to decide. The country lies devastated, abandoned by millions and reliant on foreign aid. Zelenskyy, a puppet of European ideological interests, opposes a US-led Russian peace deal, but his voice now holds no weight. Russia has consistently sought an end to the West's antagonism, and Trump’s peace talks with Putin must secure a common-sense solution confirming Ukraine’s future as a neutral, non-NATO state.