Ukraine and key European allies have insisted on being included in any negotiations to end Russia’s war, after President Donald Trump unilaterally announced that direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would begin immediately.

Trump revealed the decision on Wednesday via social media, stating that he had spoken with Putin and that the two leaders “agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately” to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

While Trump expressed optimism, saying, “I think we’re on the way to getting peace,” he did not clarify whether Ukraine or President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be directly involved in negotiations.

This omission aligns with Putin’s long-standing demand that Ukraine be excluded from talks, as the Russian leader has dismissed Zelenskyy as “illegitimate”.

Kyiv’s exclusion would mark a major departure from U.S. and NATO policy, which under former President Joe Biden followed the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”—ensuring Ukraine’s direct involvement in any peace process.

Following Trump’s conversation with Putin, the U.S. president also spoke with Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian leader later posted on social media that the two discussed “opportunities to achieve peace”, Ukraine’s readiness to work with U.S. officials, and its technological capabilities, including drones and other advanced industries.

Meanwhile, Trump also stated he would meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia, though he did not specify a date.

The announcement triggered swift reactions from Ukraine’s allies in Europe, who stressed the need for a unified negotiating front.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the U.K., Ukraine, along with the European Union’s External Action Service and the European Commission, declared:

“We are looking forward to discussing the way ahead together with our American allies.”

They emphasized that their “shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength,” adding:

“Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations.”

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, reaffirmed Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are unconditional.”

In a separate statement, Trump hinted at Ukraine’s delayed presidential election, which was postponed due to martial law following Russia’s invasion.

“At some point, you’re going to have an election,” Trump remarked, signaling that Ukraine’s leadership could be a future factor in negotiations.

With Trump’s decision to engage Putin directly and Europe’s insistence on a unified front, the future of negotiations remains uncertain.

As Ukraine’s allies push to be included, the world watches closely to see how Trump’s diplomacy unfolds—and whether Kyiv will have a seat at the table in shaping its own future.