It doesnt necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians.
There were all kinds of conversations back then about Ukraine joining NATO.
The president has spoken about this.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami Beach, Florida, on February 20, 2025.Chandan Khanna/Getty Images
That didnt need to happen.
It basically became a threat to the Russians.
All conversations ended in 2008.
NATO membership for Ukraine was never on the table and the Russians knew it, she said.
The administration officials statements align with Trumps recent words on the war thatshockedEuropean leaders.
You should have ended it… You should have never started it.
You should have made a deal, Trump said.
U.S. and Russian negotiators haveengaged in talksin Saudi Arabia about a possible peace deal to end the war.
Ukraine was not included in the meetings.
Zelensky has saidhe will not accept a U.S.-Russia agreementcreated without Ukraine involvement.
They started the war.
And we used the force so you can stop it, he said in a speech.
Earlier this month, Putin and Trump had a phone call that Trumpdescribedas lengthy and highly productive.
Zelensky has asked for security guarantees and improved financial terms to be included in the deal.
I dont want something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back, hesaidSunday.
I can exchange it for NATO, if there are such conditions.
