Putin's masterstroke? Rubio scolds Europe on Valentine's Day, Zelensky turns to talks after US drama

US President Donald Trump’s recent peace push has opened a new phase of geopolitical drama, with some analysts arguing it risks playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands just as Europe is struggling to hold a united line on Ukraine. On Valentine’s Day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply warned European leaders in Munich that they must boost defense spending, harden their stance on Russia, and stop “outsourcing” security to Washington—remarks widely read as a scolding that exposed deep transatlantic tensions.