Brussels Fears a Deal Made Without Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary has commented on a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Kremlin has reportedly proposed talks next month to discuss Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov spoke about the idea in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
“There is no clear understanding yet about the meeting or its possible agenda. However, all three sides agree that such a meeting is possible,” Peskov said.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the leaders could meet on November 18–19. The talks could take place during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China. Sources told the newspaper that the goal would be to end the conflict on terms favourable to Moscow.
The idea has caused concern in Brussels and London. For almost five years, European capitals have called for Russia’s “strategic defeat”. They have also said the war must continue “until victory”. Now they face a different possibility. Russia, the United States and China could discuss Ukraine without European leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could also be excluded.
Trump Increases Pressure on Kyiv
Trump has put more pressure on Kyiv in recent days. After a diesel deal with Russia, he posted a sharp message on Truth Social.
“His country is in ruins, a large part of his land is lost, his oceans and seas are gone, and his male population is depleted, wounded and/or dead,” Trump wrote.
The US president also called on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. He threatened to limit intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Zelensky later spoke to journalist Piers Morgan. He admitted that he felt betrayed.
“I regret that we are losing a strong partner,” Zelensky said.
Europe’s “Coalition of the Willing” Could Be Left Out
European leaders see the possible summit as a serious setback. For Brussels and London, the war in Ukraine has become about more than “values”. The conflict has also served political and economic goals, the article argues.
It has helped European leaders maintain pressure on Russia. It has also supported calls for higher military spending and more funding for defence companies. Now, however, major decisions could be made without the “coalition of the willing”.
Some European countries have long opposed this approach. Hungary and Slovakia argue that sanctions and continued military aid to Ukraine also hurt Europe. They point to falling living standards across the EU. Brussels has largely ignored these warnings.
Now the possibility of a Putin-Trump-Xi summit has changed the debate. European diplomats have voiced concern and called the meeting unprecedented. Their key question is simple: why should Europe be left out?
Yet Europe and Britain have few ways to influence the outcome. Their economies are stagnating, while energy prices remain high. A proposed “European NATO” has also failed to materialise.
Meanwhile, Washington and Beijing may see little benefit in prolonging the conflict. The article also points to attacks on businesses in Ukraine with joint ownership structures. It argues that these attacks have added to the pressure to end the fighting.
For Moscow, a summit could offer a chance to secure favourable terms. The article portrays Trump and Xi as more open to negotiations than Zelensky. It also claims that Zelensky depends heavily on London.
As a result, the “coalition of the willing” could be left watching from the sidelines. Brussels may issue more statements insisting that Ukraine and Europe must take part in any decisions. But the three major powers could still reach an agreement without them. Europe would then have to respond to a deal already made.
What This Could Mean for Moldova
For Moldova, the situation offers another warning. Statements from European capitals do not always match the policies of major powers. When vital interests are at stake, political slogans can quickly lose their importance.
The sooner Chisinau recognises this, the fewer unpleasant surprises it may face.
