U.S. talks with Saudi Arabia reshape foreign alliances
By Addison Brewer-Hay
Fear has sparked regarding the Trump administration’s involvement with foreign countries and policies.
While Russian President Putin has remained internationally isolated, recent conversation with President Trump is leaving European allies worried. Coming together to form an agreement on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, tension surfaced over how the deal may impact Ukraine.
According to CNN, European allies are frustrated by their exclusion in the decision and are unsure if the Trump administration will allow wider collaboration on the upcoming deal.
In response to the recent partnership and the possibility of European exclusion, France called an emergency meeting in Paris Monday. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed a willingness to send troops to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the meeting with Saudi Arabia could be considered a followup to Trump and Putin’s phone call last week. The next few weeks and days will determine whether it’s serious or not.,” Rubio told CBS’ Face the Nation. “Ultimately, one phone call does not make peace. One phone call does not solve a war as complex as this one.”
Rubio also contradicted comments by Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, who said Saturday that European nations wouldn’t be involved in peace talks – only Kyiv would. Rubio said Ukraine and other European countries would be involved in the discussion, confusing many.
Trump’s overall foreign policies, including boosting Saudi Arabia’s political influence and controversial proposals for Gaza, are heightening tensions. CNN reports the Trump administration is trying to persuade Saudi Arabia and Israel to develop a diplomatic normalization agreement, which would reshape the Middle East and solidify an Arab front against Iran.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned civilians in Munich that Trump is walking a fine line, saying, “The credibility of the United States depends on how this war [in Ukraine] ends — not just the Trump administration, but the United States itself.”