Trump Says a “Great Deal” With Russia Could Cover All of Europe
Donald Trump said after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev that the parties are working toward an agreement that could extend beyond Ukraine to all of Europe. The reported proposal has prompted concern in European capitals that Washington and Moscow could shape European security without adequate European involvement, while Russia is pressing for further Ukrainian territorial concessions.
Key points
- Trump met Kirill Dmitriev at the White House on the evening of November 5.
- Trump said a prospective agreement could cover Ukraine and possibly all of Europe.
- Jared Kushner said Washington was preparing practical arrangements addressing the security concerns of all parties.
- Russia reportedly demands that Ukraine surrender the rest of Donbas before a ceasefire.
- European officials insist that decisions affecting European security require direct European participation.
- Several European governments and NATO allies view the US proposal with skepticism and concern.
- Working talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States, are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
Why it matters
The reported Russian demands would link any ceasefire to further Ukrainian territorial concessions, while threats against bridges, ports, railways, energy facilities and power plants could damage civilian infrastructure and intensify the war. At the same time, a new European security framework could reshape both the negotiations to end the war and the continent's future security order. European officials fear that the process could weaken European security, reduce NATO's presence or allow Moscow to recover influence.
What happened
Trump met Kirill Dmitriev at the White House on November 5 and said afterward that the parties were pursuing a “great, wonderful deal” that could concern Ukraine and possibly all of Europe. Kushner said Washington was preparing practical arrangements intended to address all parties' security concerns and establish a long-term European security system.
The initiative emerged as reports said Russia was demanding that Ukraine surrender the rest of Donbas as a condition for ending the war. Russia was also reported to expect further Ukrainian territorial concessions in exchange for NATO security guarantees and to threaten Ukrainian infrastructure if its demands were rejected. European governments responded with skepticism and concern, arguing that European security should not be negotiated in parallel with the war without European participation. Mediated working talks between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage centers Russia's demands for further territorial concessions and the threats against Ukrainian bridges, ports, railways, energy infrastructure and power plants. It also raises the possibility of large-scale winter attacks on the energy system and frames the US initiative as occurring alongside pressure on Ukraine, with negotiations potentially subordinating Ukrainian interests. European warnings that Ukraine's and Eastern Europe's security interests must be included remain prominent.
How international sources describe it
International coverage focuses on the proposed US-Russian framework for European security and the response from European officials and diplomats. European participants demand a direct role in decisions affecting the continent and oppose changes to NATO or a reduction in its presence. They also fear that Moscow could use the talks to restore its sphere of influence, limit the sovereignty of neighboring NATO states or secure an agreement at Europe's expense.
Background
Trump and Dmitriev met at the White House on November 5, and the American proposal links a European security arrangement to the wider framework for ending the war in Ukraine. European officials have said that parallel security negotiations should not take place before the war ends and that Ukraine should be integrated into Europe’s existing security architecture.