What we, Russia and Europe are thinking ahead of fresh Ukraine discussions

It was another turbulent week in global politics.

The world has digested an extraordinary exchange between Donald Trump and Volodimia Zelensky. The Ukrainian leaders visited European allies. European allies have taken action to strengthen their defenses. The Russian bomb hit Ukraine.

But what are these key players thinking ahead of the fresh US ukrane discussions in Saudi Arabia next week?

Five BBC correspondents analyzed this week’s event.

Tom Bateman, State Department correspondent, Washington, DC

After a humiliating attack on Donald Trump and JD Vance on Zelensky, the US president suspended military and intelligence news aid to Ukraine on Monday.

Over time, this will have a fundamental impact on Ukraine’s ability to protect itself – and Trump’s democratic enemy says there is no doubt that he is in line with Russia.

It was clear that the administration would be seen as pressure on Zelensky to sign the president’s mineral trade and give it to a quick ceasefire.

Trump envoy General Keith Kellogg said the withdrawal of US military support is “like hitting a mule in the face with (a wooden board)… you’ll get their attention, and it’s very important… and it’s up to them.”

With all his arms twisted, this week ends with a more reconciliatory tone from some of Trump’s top foreign policy teams meeting Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia next week.

There was rare criticism for Trump’s Moscow on Friday as he threatened sanctions despite being already heavily approved to try to stop the heavy bombing of Ukraine.

But other than that, this is a regime that repeatedly rebuked its supposed allies but refrained from such criticism of its enemy.

On Thursday, I called on U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce to respond to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who ruled out the presence of Ukraine’s European peacekeeping forces. He called it “no compromise” and “hostile purpose” in the West.

Bruce declined to respond, saying that she could not comment on the comments of foreign leaders or ministers even repeating Trump’s Zelensky label as “not ready for peace.”

Vitaliy Shevchenko, BBC Surveillance Russian Editor

This was another week when all the pressure seemed to be in Kiev, up to the threat of Trump’s sanctions, and there was little reason to tame that appetite in Russia.

The suspension of US military aid and intelligence has been one of Ukraine’s worst setbacks since the start of a full-scale invasion, and has greatly boosted Russia’s chances.

Subsequent fatal attacks across Ukraine suggest that Moscow is happy to continue his business as usual in the war.

It claims that the original objectives of the “special military operation” must be achieved and more Ukrainian land must be acquired.

It also rejected efforts by Ukrainian supporters to ease this pressure on Kiev through ceasefires and peacekeeping forces.

This week’s comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, and Trump’s statement that America might not be on “our side” are also music for the ears of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It’s a situation where President Putin can sit down and enjoy the sight of the cracks that appear in the Western Alliance. That’s a situation he’s worked to achieve for years, if not decades.

And he accomplished it not for shots fired on the battlefield, but for breathtaking U-turns by Ukraine’s biggest allies.

Next Tuesday, Ukrainians and US representatives will be sitting for consultations in Saudi Arabia. Russia looks carefully, but is confident.

Myroslava Petsa, BBC Ukraine and Daniel Wittenberg, BBC World Service

It was a brutal, emotional and relentless week for a struggling Ukrainian president as he fought to keep Western military support intact while reiterating his commitment to peace.

After the US stopped sharing military aid with Ukraine and intelligence news, fallout from his grand oval office and clashes with Trump got worse in Kiev.

“There’s a smell of betrayal in the air,” said one source close to the Ukrainian government. “The whole country feels that — including the president and his team.”

Zelensky rejected Trump’s request for an “explicit public apology” and instead wrote a letter to the US president, calling the White House showdown “unfortunate.”

To counter the damage, Zelensky was again on the road, hoping to strengthen European support in Brussels. However, he did not gain the solid military commitment he had hoped for while securing an official display of solidarity.

Meanwhile, Zelensky urged EU leaders to support limited ceasefires at sea and in the air. This is an idea supported by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Ukrainian and US delegations will hold talks in Saudi Arabia next week, but the path to peace remains uncertain.

Despite the set-up, sources close to the president’s team claimed he remains rebellious. “Three years ago he may have been killed, but he decided to stay in Kiev.

Paul Kirby, European Digital Editor

There were many European summits and it was difficult to catch up. And it’s about coming more.

European leaders suddenly notice the security umbrella they rely on, as World War II may not be there anymore, suggestions flashing at warp speed in European languages.

There is the broad consensus that Europe needs to help Ukraine. France and the UK offer a “coalition of will” on earth if a peace agreement is found.

Russia hates the idea, but Macron will gather the Army chiefs on Tuesday to work on the plan.

But there are now much bigger questions being asked about how Europe protects from what EU Commission chief Ursula von Leyen calls “clear and current danger.”

If the US isn’t there to help, “we need to be ready,” Macron says. The EU is currently talking about a multi-billion euro plan to strengthen its defenses.

And Germany’s waiting Prime Minister Friedrich Merz has increased the possibility that France and the UK will expand its nuclear deterrent power across Europe.

Macron accepts that, but the French nuclear umbrella has only grown so far, and a final decision will be made in Paris.

It is at the heart of European defence issues.

Without the US, can individual European countries pool resources and depend on each other?

Small states such as Lithuania do not have any choice.

But debate is beginning, and Poland’s Donald Task has clearly stated that it is safer “with our own nuclear weapons.”