Part 4/15:
Notably, during an interview, Putin dismissed ideas of a rapid end to the war, indicating that negotiations are likely to be protracted and involve multiple small steps before substantial trust can be rebuilt. In Europe, concerns have grown regarding the exclusion of Ukraine and NATO allies from diplomatic negotiations, fueling fears of potential backroom deals that could favor Russian interests. Despite this, Washington continues to engage with European allies—French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are actively working to coordinate strategies. Macron has notably pressed Trump to adopt a more cautious approach and to seek consensus with Kyiv before engaging directly with Moscow.