President Trump’s new approach to Russia-Ukraine negotiations has sparked concerns among allies and experts. The recent meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh marked a significant shift from the Biden administration’s stance, excluding Ukraine and European partners from the talks.

Critics worry that Trump’s eagerness to end the conflict could lead to concessions that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and European security. Brett Bruen, a former Obama administration adviser, stated, “The really worrying fact is that Trump has taken Russia from pariah to prize partner in the time span of just a few days. That comes at a price.”

The inexperience of Trump’s negotiating team compared to their Russian counterparts has also raised eyebrows. Timothy Snyder, a Yale University professor, noted, “The American team has almost no experience in high-level international negotiation, no regional expertise on Ukraine and Russia, and no relevant foreign language knowledge.”

Trump Expresses Confidence Amid Concerns

Despite these concerns, Trump expressed confidence after the talks and hinted at a potential meeting with Putin. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed a visit to Saudi Arabia, reportedly to avoid legitimizing the U.S.-Russia discussions.

Some experts argue that limiting initial talks may be justified, but others, like Democrat Jake Auchincloss, believe Russia has already gained an advantage. “The Kremlin has been normalized in bilateral diplomacy that excludes Ukraine and NATO and they gave up nothing to get that,” Auchincloss told Reuters.

As negotiations progress, the international community remains watchful of potential outcomes and their implications for global security.

Read more at Reuters