Author: Peter Baker
Published on: 18/02/2025 | 00:00:00
AI Summary:
Russian and American negotiators sat down on Tuesday for the first time since Moscow’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. In Mr. Trump’s telling, Ukrainian leaders were at fault for the war for not agreeing to surrender territory and therefore, he suggested they do not deserve a seat at the table for the peace talks that he has just initiated with Mr. Putin. Mr. Trump is in the middle of executing one of the most jaw-dropping pivots in American foreign policy in generations. The pivot is a necessary corrective to years of misguided policy. He and his allies see the cost of defending Europe as too high. Marco Rubio met with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov. No Ukrainian leaders were in the room for the meeting. Mr. Putin is someone worthy of admiration and respect, unlike the leaders of traditional U.S. Allies. Mr. Trump vowed he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, which he has failed to do. Mr. Putin assigned Mr. Rubio and two other advisers to pursue negotiations. The United States will not provide Ukraine with security guarantees, much less allow it into NATO. Mr. Trump made it sound as if he considered Russia to be a friend. “They want to stop the savage barbarianism,” he said. He said Ukraine was “being wiped out” and the war had to end. Europe has allocated $138 billion compared with $119 billion from the United States. In fact, Mr. Zelensky’s approval rating has fallen from its once-stratospheric heights. Mr. Trump also agreed with a Russian talking point that Ukraine should have new elections to play a part in negotiations. The Education Department gave schools 14 days to end any race-based programs. Thousands took to the streets across the U.S., denouncing President Trump as a “king” for his efforts to terminate federal workers and to fire prosecutors and independent watchdogs.
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Summary: 313 words
Percent reduction: 85.07%