U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to “meet” over the fighting raging on, while downplaying Ukraine’s role in negotiations.
On Friday speaking from the Oval, Mr. Trump added, “Putin and Zelenskyy — they are going to have to work out a deal. ‘You know what? WE just want this endless killing of the millions of people to stop.’ “
After earlier calling him a “dictator without elections” and accused Ukraine of maintaining the war, he made the same comments again. He also said Ukraine has no cards in the negotiating table, “They don’t have any cards” 
The president also declared that Ukraine must allow American aid to keep flowing, and that it would do so in exchange for access to preferential rights over mineral deposits. Kyiv rejected those terms and is sticking with a security guarantee from Washington.
At the same time, European leaders (France’s President Macron among the foremost) seek a clear line of challenge against Russia.
Mr Macron said on Wednesday “You cannot be meek with president Putin” Mr Macron, who will travel to Washington next week.
Trump is rolling back from his current tough line and many abroad see it as an alarm. He refused to blame Russia for the war, but argued Mr. Putin has pretty much no pressure to negotiate, asserting, “He could call the whole place if he wanted.” .
All parties are gearing up for an important summit — except the thousands of civilians who are dying by the hour in Ukraine.
