Trump & Putin’s Secret Saudi Summit
The High-Stakes Saudi Showdown: Trump’s “Peace” Gambit Stuns the World
In a geopolitical rollercoaster, former President Donald Trump — now back in the Oval Office — met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia this week for explosive talks to end the Ukraine war. But there’s a catch: Ukraine wasn’t invited, and Europe is in full panic mode as Trump sidelines allies to cozy up to Moscow.
🔥 Key Bombshells from the Riyadh Talks
Trump’s Concessions to Putin:
- The U.S. agreed to restore embassy staff in Moscow and Washington, create a “high-level team for Ukraine peace talks” (as reported by The New York Times), and explore economic cooperation with Russia — all while Ukraine’s territory hangs in the balance.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted Ukraine might need to abandon NATO ambitions and cede land — a win for Putin’s expansionist playbook.
Zelenskyy’s Fury:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the summit a “betrayal,” postponing his Saudi visit (via AP News) and vowing: “No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine!”.
- He rejected a U.S. offer for rare earth mineral access, demanding security guarantees instead: “The question is not what Ukraine can give, but what it can get!”.
Europe’s Emergency Meltdown:
- France’s Emmanuel Macron rallied EU leaders in Paris, warning of a “generational crisis” as Trump’s team snubbed them. Germany’s foreign minister called it an “existential moment” (Politico).
- The U.K.’s Keir Starmer floated deploying British troops to Ukraine post-ceasefire — but only if the U.S. provides a “security backstop”.
Putin’s Power Play: Why Europe Is Terrified
- Russia’s Diplomatic Win: Lavrov gloated that the U.S. finally “understands” Moscow’s demands, likely code for freezing frontline gains and blocking Ukraine’s NATO hopes. Analysts at CNN note this as a strategic victory for Putin.
- Europe’s Nightmare: Trump’s abrupt pivot shattered years of Western unity. Experts warn any U.S.-Russia deal could let Putin regroup for future attacks — “like Easter, Hanukkah, and Putin’s birthday all at once!”.
Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Coup
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stole the spotlight by hosting the talks, rehabbing his image post-Khashoggi. The kingdom’s cozy ties with both Trump and Putin, detailed by Ukrainska Pravda, position it as a rising power broker — but Zelenskyy isn’t fooled, calling the summit a “photo op for dictators”.
What’s Next?
- Trump-Putin Summit: A Moscow meeting is in the works, possibly by May. Will Trump hand Putin a victory lap?
- Europe’s Fightback: Macron vows “strong security guarantees” for Ukraine, while NATO scrambles to boost defense spending above 3% GDP.
- War Grinds On: Russia launched 176 drones overnight (The Guardian), hitting homes and wounding civilians. Peace talks or not, the bloodshed hasn’t stopped.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s Saudi gambit has thrown global秩序 into chaos. Ukraine’s survival hinges on whether Europe can unite — or if Trump’s “America First” deal leaves Putin laughing all the way to the Kremlin. Stay tuned: this geopolitical thriller is just getting started.
