<h1>Trump's US-Russia Peace Talks Sideline Europe; Ukraine Pressured on Rare Earth Deal for Military Aid</h1> President Donald Trump's strategy to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns among European and Ukrainian officials who feel sidelined. The US plans direct negotiations with Russia, sending key officials to Saudi Arabia for talks. Despite reassurances from the White House, European leaders are uneasy about being excluded from significant discussions. Trump's administration is also pushing for Ukraine to grant the US access to rare earth minerals in exchange for military aid, a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not approved. European nations, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, are convening to reassess their strategy in response to these developments.