Trump Suggests Potential Agreement Between Russia and Ukraine; Macron Invites European Leaders to Discuss Ukraine Crisis

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on February 18, 2025, that the ongoing events in Riyadh between American and Russian representatives give him more "confidence" that an agreement with Moscow to end the war in Ukraine is possible. He hopes to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month. During a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump said that the events in Riyadh were a "big deal." He added, "Russia wants to make a deal. They want to make something. I think they want to put an end to it." Trump believes he knows "exactly how to get it done." Trump criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky for questioning where some of the aid provided to his country has gone. He stated, "The president, Zelensky, his people, I guess, are in Riyadh. I think it's a very good thing that they're meeting." Trump added, "I think there's a great opportunity because of this meeting." He also mentioned, "They (the Ukrainians) have never had it so good (until the events). They were getting money for three years, and it was never talked about." Trump also accused Ukraine of misusing a portion of the aid provided to the country since the start of the war. He said, "President Zelensky two weeks ago said, 'We don't even know where half the money that you gave us is.' Frankly, you've been getting it for three years. You should have known it before." This is in reference to the war that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump also criticized Ukraine for expecting indefinite military support from the U.S., stating, "If you want us to do it, that's fine. I want to do it all the way," while asserting that his country is not obliged to send troops "over there, because, as you know, we owe a lot." Trump also called for "equalization" between Europe and the United States in the aid that each provides to Ukraine. He said, "We've given them over 350 billion dollars (...), it's a lot of money and we have to equalize with Europe, because Europe has given a fraction of that." French President Emmanuel Macron has invited several European leaders to a support conference in Paris on February 26, 2025, to discuss the Ukraine crisis. According to "Le Parisien" and "Ouest France," several European countries, including non-European countries, have been invited to Macron's initiative to participate in the conference. On February 17, 2025, several European leaders met in Paris to discuss the situation in Ukraine, including representatives from Moscow and Washington. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also attended the meeting. Macron stated that he wants the U.S. to ensure Ukraine's security and Europe to be ready to pay the price. He emphasized that this change in U.S. policy should be a priority. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, stated that Europe must pay every price for its own security, even if the U.S. reduces its commitments to NATO. He affirmed that this change in American policy should be taken into account and treated with the utmost importance to protect European security.