Such a solution would conjure a cruel historical irony. Putin, who watched in despair from his post as a KGB officer in Dresden as the Soviet Union dissolved, may be on the verge of creating a new East Germany in 21st century Europe with America’s help.

"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.

The announcement of the Trump-Putin call made no mention of Europe or of much of a Ukrainian role, playing into fears that their interests will fall by the wayside.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday his nation is not expecting an immediate peace deal with Russia nearly three years after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of his country.

In Munich, Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.