Trump’s First U.S.-Russia Talks Signal Shift in Ukraine Policy, Raise Concerns Among Allies

 Nearly three years after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, the United States’ approach to the conflict has undergone a dramatic shift under President Donald Trump. In contrast to his predecessor Joe Biden, who stood firmly with Kyiv and coordinated a strong European alliance against Moscow, Trump’s administration has sidelined Ukraine and NATO partners in its first round of diplomatic engagements with Russia.

On Tuesday, U.S. and Russian negotiators met for the first time in Riyadh, just weeks after Trump’s return to the White House. The meeting, attended by a relatively inexperienced team of Trump aides, came with concessions to Putin even before talks began, prompting fears of a peace deal that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and alter Europe’s security landscape.

Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Policy

Trump’s urgency in seeking an end to the Russia-Ukraine war has alarmed many Western observers. Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration, cautioned that Trump had transformed Russia from a global pariah into a "prized partner" within days, a shift that comes with serious geopolitical consequences.

The Riyadh talks marked the first official U.S.-Russia negotiations on the deadliest European conflict since World War II. While both sides agreed to form negotiating teams for future discussions and to work on restoring normal diplomatic functions, there was no indication that Russia had offered any concessions.

The exclusion of Ukraine from the meeting raised further alarm. Under Biden, the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” was a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. However, Kyiv was left out of these discussions, and European allies were also absent. The move has intensified concerns that Trump may be willing to grant Putin significant leverage in exchange for vague promises of peace.

European Response and Security Concerns

European leaders have been quick to react to this shift. Some governments have begun discussing the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to counterbalance any deal that might weaken Ukraine’s position. While Trump indicated he would not oppose such a move, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the idea, making it clear that Moscow would not accept NATO troops in Ukraine.

Criticism of Trump’s diplomatic approach has been particularly sharp due to the inexperience of his negotiating team. Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, both seasoned diplomats with 34 years of combined experience, faced off against Trump’s newly appointed officials: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff—none of whom have extensive backgrounds in international diplomacy or regional expertise on Russia and Ukraine. Yale University professor Timothy Snyder, a leading expert on Russia, described the situation as a major disadvantage for the U.S.

Zelensky and NATO Express Frustration

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took a firm stance against the U.S.-Russia talks, postponing a planned visit to Saudi Arabia to avoid giving the negotiations any form of legitimacy. His administration expressed frustration over Trump’s willingness to negotiate without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

Adding to the tensions, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Washington had proposed a deal granting the U.S. a 50% stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals sector in exchange for continued military aid—a demand that critics likened to economic extortion. Zelensky’s refusal to accept such terms reportedly angered the Trump administration.

"Russia Won Round One"

While some analysts suggested that limiting the number of participants in early negotiations could be a strategic move, concerns remain that Russia has already gained a diplomatic victory. Democratic Congressman Jake Auchincloss, co-chair of the House Ukraine Caucus, argued that Russia had won the first round of negotiations, stating:

"The Kremlin has been normalized in bilateral diplomacy that excludes Ukraine and NATO, and they gave up nothing to get that."

Western intelligence sources indicate that Putin’s long-term goal remains unchanged: holding all occupied Ukrainian territories and expanding Russian influence deeper into Europe. Lithuanian security chief Darius Jauniškis reinforced these concerns, warning:

"Putin will not stop at Ukraine. There is no sincere desire to end the war."

Even Trump’s fellow Republicans have voiced skepticism. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker outright dismissed the idea that Putin can be trusted in peace talks, calling him a “war criminal.”

While Trump insisted he was optimistic after the talks and suggested he might meet Putin before the end of the month, his willingness to make unilateral concessions and dismiss concerns from Ukraine and NATO have left many questioning the future of U.S. policy on Russia—and the security of Europe itself.