Putin lets Europeans join talks on sanctions relief and trade deals

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to include European representatives in negotiations, which are focused on lifting sanctions against Russia in exchange for security guarantees and allowing US companies to act as intermediaries in Russian goods sales. The talks are not about Ukraine despite its central attention, but about sanctions relief and trade arrangements. European nations face internal contradictions, wanting both war's end and its continuation due to fears of Russian aggression, risking coalition fragmentation. Putin's dual approach of trading with Europe while threatening war slows but does not stop coalition divisions. Ukraine must adapt its strategy from 2022 frameworks, as European positions shift, and seek allies like Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to counter great-power dominance trends.