Cabot Phillips

And to Rubio's point, it's certainly remarkable just how quickly these peace talks have come about. Trump and Putin had their first call of Trump's second term last week. And now seven days later, their top deputies are meeting face to face. Usually these things take much longer months to work out. The White House says it's proof that Trump is a swift mover when it comes to negotiating peace.

And to Rubio's point, it's certainly remarkable just how quickly these peace talks have come about. Trump and Putin had their first call of Trump's second term last week. And now seven days later, their top deputies are meeting face to face. Usually these things take much longer months to work out. The White House says it's proof that Trump is a swift mover when it comes to negotiating peace.

Now the big question, just how productive was this meeting? Well, we're still a ways off from any substantive movement on the war itself, though the U.S. did call for a ceasefire on attacks on energy facilities from both sides while the talks move forward. But zooming out, the most consequential development It was simply the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Russia. U.S.

Now the big question, just how productive was this meeting? Well, we're still a ways off from any substantive movement on the war itself, though the U.S. did call for a ceasefire on attacks on energy facilities from both sides while the talks move forward. But zooming out, the most consequential development It was simply the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Russia. U.S.

envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, called the meeting, quote, positive, upbeat, and constructive, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was, quote, very useful. So they were positive coming out as a sort of sign of goodwill. The two countries agreed Tuesday to allow staff to return to their respective embassies in Moscow and Washington.

envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, called the meeting, quote, positive, upbeat, and constructive, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was, quote, very useful. So they were positive coming out as a sort of sign of goodwill. The two countries agreed Tuesday to allow staff to return to their respective embassies in Moscow and Washington.

Rubio also made sure to remind Russia that if they agreed to a deal, the U.S. would be willing to engage in new economic partnerships. He also suggested Trump would be willing to lift sanctions on Moscow. So trying to sweeten the pot there.

Rubio also made sure to remind Russia that if they agreed to a deal, the U.S. would be willing to engage in new economic partnerships. He also suggested Trump would be willing to lift sanctions on Moscow. So trying to sweeten the pot there.

So Trump's goal is fairly simple. He wants Russia to withdraw their troops and end the invasion. But it's likely that'll only happen if Putin is allowed to hold on to some Ukrainian territory he's already taken, specifically in Crimea and the Donbass. Putin desperately wants to avoid coming back empty-handed and has made clear that he will keep fighting if a deal does not include that land.

So Trump's goal is fairly simple. He wants Russia to withdraw their troops and end the invasion. But it's likely that'll only happen if Putin is allowed to hold on to some Ukrainian territory he's already taken, specifically in Crimea and the Donbass. Putin desperately wants to avoid coming back empty-handed and has made clear that he will keep fighting if a deal does not include that land.

Now, for his part, Zelensky has previously said he would not agree to any deal that allowed Putin to keep territory, but he likely won't have much choice. And there are those in the White House who believe that Zelensky is well aware of that fact, but wants to save face.

Now, for his part, Zelensky has previously said he would not agree to any deal that allowed Putin to keep territory, but he likely won't have much choice. And there are those in the White House who believe that Zelensky is well aware of that fact, but wants to save face.

Trump's assertiveness here could be a way to do that, as Zelensky can essentially tell his people, look, I tried to get all our land back, but the U.S. forced this on me. At least that kept us from being conquered. Right.

Trump's assertiveness here could be a way to do that, as Zelensky can essentially tell his people, look, I tried to get all our land back, but the U.S. forced this on me. At least that kept us from being conquered. Right.

Tell us about those complaints. Yeah. Again, the White House says Ukraine will be given a seat at the table once the negotiations begin more formally. But Trump had a message for Zelensky when asked about the matter yesterday.

Tell us about those complaints. Yeah. Again, the White House says Ukraine will be given a seat at the table once the negotiations begin more formally. But Trump had a message for Zelensky when asked about the matter yesterday.

But while Trump said he's willing to allow Ukraine in on negotiations, he still says European leaders will not be taking part. Trump has long argued they've not done enough to fund the war effort on their own continent. And he's basically saying, if you want a seat at the table, you've got to ante up. And he's giving them that chance.

But while Trump said he's willing to allow Ukraine in on negotiations, he still says European leaders will not be taking part. Trump has long argued they've not done enough to fund the war effort on their own continent. And he's basically saying, if you want a seat at the table, you've got to ante up. And he's giving them that chance.

In the last week, the White House sent out questionnaires to European leaders asking them to lay out just how much money they'd commit to Ukrainian security moving forward and if they'd be willing to put boots on the ground after the war.

In the last week, the White House sent out questionnaires to European leaders asking them to lay out just how much money they'd commit to Ukrainian security moving forward and if they'd be willing to put boots on the ground after the war.