Ukraine War: Russia wants to have a say in order in Europe and sees little willingness

Only on Thursday did US President Donald Trump hold out the prospect of a major agreement on Ukraine. Now Russia has dampened expectations. Moscow has not yet seen any willingness on the European side to discuss questions about a future security system on the continent, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Russian state news agency Interfax. In addition, the Europeans have not yet even appointed a negotiator.

Next week, Ukraine and Russia will be negotiating under US mediation in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February about a possible end to the war that Moscow started in 2022.

Trump talks to Putin's advisers, but apparently not to the Ukrainians

Trump met with Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev on Thursday and announced a “big deal.” "It will affect more than just Ukraine, and I could even say that it could affect all of Europe." Everyone would be excited, he claimed. Trump said he did not meet with Ukrainian representatives who also traveled to Washington.

Although the Europeans are demanding participation in the negotiations, they have not yet identified anyone to take part in future talks. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently demanded that there be agreements on this next week.

Just last week, Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre made a surprise phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Stubb has long been calling for more European commitment.

Melania Trump gives letter to Putin

Russia is open to future European participation: it is about the future security system in Europe and mutual security guarantees between Russia and Ukraine, said Peskov. "Therefore, a conversation with the Europeans will be necessary."

Negotiator Dmitriev also attended a reception hosted by First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, where the success of the humanitarian aid operation for the town of Oleshky, which was occupied by Russian troops, was celebrated. Melania Trump gave him a letter for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Dmitriev is now expected in Moscow with the letter and the contents from the meeting with Trump.

Peskov was satisfied with the talks by the Russian delegation in the White House. The political and humanitarian channels could complement each other, he said. Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova and her Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Lubinez were also present at the meeting with Melania Trump. A week ago, on Friday and Saturday, they worked together to bring people from Oleschky to safety.