President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin directly as his Defense Secretary said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic.

"Any agreement without us will fail, because you need Europe and Ukraine to also implement the agreement," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "Any quick fix is a dirty deal." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said: "Nothing can be discussed on Ukraine without Ukraine or on Europe without Europe.

Diplomats at the Munich Security Conference were uttering “appeasement,” with all its historical resonance, to describe the Trump administration’s approach to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Europe’s American century is over. Two geopolitical thunderclaps on Wednesday will transform transatlantic relations. Donald Trump’s call with Vladimir Putin brought the Russian leader in from the cold as they hatched plans to end the war in Ukraine and agreed to swap presidential visits.

After a frenetic 24 hours of US declarations, there is a tangible sense that Europe's leaders have been surprised.

Vice President Vance on Friday chided European leaders for their criticism of Elon Musk wading into their elections, comparing Musk’s actions to Swedish activist Greta Thunberg urging

Elon Musk supports VP JD Vance after his controversial Munich speech advocating for Europe's traditional values and criticising European governments for limiting free speech. Vance's remarks received backlash from European leaders,