Russian officials and state media reacted triumphantly on Thursday after former U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a potential shift in U.S. policy, stating he was likely to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss a peace deal for Ukraine.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejected any agreement that excludes Ukraine from negotiations, emphasizing that his country must be directly involved in any discussions about its future.
Trump’s stance appeared to elevate Putin as the key player in resolving the ongoing conflict, potentially sidelining Zelenskyy and European nations from the peace process. Zelenskyy has previously warned that bypassing Ukraine in such talks would be a dangerous precedent.
For three years, Zelenskyy had been a central figure in the West’s united front against Russia. However, standing alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kyiv on Wednesday, he appeared isolated—uncertain about his role in shaping the diplomatic direction.Zelenskyy had anticipated a direct discussion with Trump about a comprehensive vision for peace, following Trump’s hints at a possible meeting. Instead, he received what he described as a "serious financial proposal" from Bessent—one that he notably chose not to sign.Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reacted to the developments on social media, hailing the renewed diplomatic engagement.
"The previous U.S. administration severed all high-level contact in an attempt to punish and isolate Russia. As a result, the world teetered on the brink of catastrophe," Medvedev stated.
Russian lawmakers expressed optimism about the talks, viewing them as a potential turning point in U.S.-Russia relations, which have reached their lowest point since the Cold War.
"The conversation has broken the West’s anti-Russian blockade and initiated the thawing of official U.S.-Russia relations," said Leonid Slutsky, a Russian lawmaker and former negotiator on Ukraine."There is now hope that, over time, we may reach a level of normal diplomatic engagement," Russian senator Andrey Klimov told Lenta.ru on Wednesday.
"It’s not yet a breakthrough, but it might be the first step toward one," Russian senator Alexei Pushkov commented on Telegram."When two skilled politicians demonstrate how diplomacy should be conducted, I hope it serves as a reality check for those who have lost sight of it," he added.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized the notion of a U.S.-Russia agreement without European involvement, warning that any such deal would be doomed to fail.
"Any agreement made behind our backs will not stand. Ukraine and Europe must be part of the process—it is clear that appeasement has never worked," Kallas said before a NATO meeting on Thursday.