Trump to meet Putin for peace talks as he sidelines Ukraine, Europe

Russian officials and state media have taken a triumphant tone after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year-long war in Ukraine.

Trump’s change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the fighting.

It looked set to sideline Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace negotiations.

Zelenskyy says he will not accept any agreements about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks.