Ukraine sidelined in talks to end war against Russia: Will Trump, Putin now decide Europe's future?

The stage is set for one of the most consequential meetings of the decade - Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are sitting down to talk “peace.” But there’s a twist: Ukraine, the country at the heart of the war, is missing from the room. Trump insists he will rally Europe's message, but on the battlefield, Russia holds the upper hand. For Washington, Ukraine is more than an ally, it’s a geopolitical outpost, a pressure point at Russia’s border. For Moscow, it’s about security, pride, and rewriting the post-Cold War map. The meeting could redefine power in Europe, lock in new borders, and create a Cold War–style buffer zone. But with Ukraine sidelined and Europe losing leverage, the world is left wondering: Is this the final move in the game, or the first move of an entirely new one?