The Talks That (Apparently) Never Happened for Ukraine
Somewhere in the grand halls of Diriyah Palace, where oil deals are whispered over gilded coffee cups, U.S. and Russian officials gathered for what is being called the “first step” toward ending the war in Ukraine. But there’s just one problem—Ukraine wasn’t invited.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, never one to mince words, made it clear his government was completely unaware of these negotiations. “We knew nothing about (the talks),” he stated. Translation? This wasn’t just a snub—it was a full-scale diplomatic ghosting.
Trump’s Shadow Looms Large
This sudden push for negotiations comes amid growing U.S. domestic pressure, particularly from former President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his desire to strike a deal (any deal, really) to bring the war to a close. He’s made no secret of his belief that he could wrap up the conflict in “24 hours,” though the details of such a miracle remain conspicuously absent.
Russia’s Take: “Not Bad”
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, a key figure in the Saudi meetings, was a little more optimistic—albeit with the enthusiasm of a man describing his latest trip to the dentist. “Not bad,” he told Russian media when asked how the talks went. He added that while it’s “difficult to say” whether the U.S. and Russia are any closer to agreement, both sides did agree to “take each other’s interests into account.”
That’s political speak for “we’re still nowhere, but at least we talked.”
Elon Musk: Government Adviser or Just a Billionaire with Opinions?
Meanwhile, in an unrelated but equally bizarre revelation, court filings have shed light on Elon Musk’s actual role in the U.S. government. Contrary to some conspiracy theories, he is not running a shadow cabinet from Twitter HQ. Officially, Musk is classified as an “adviser to the president” and a “special government employee.” This means he has influence, but no official power—something his critics (and probably a few regulators) are keeping a close eye on.
Musk’s apparent influence in Washington comes at a time when his various business ventures—from Tesla to SpaceX—remain deeply intertwined with U.S. government interests. And while he’s not heading any official agencies, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE—yes, that’s the actual abbreviation) continues to push for sweeping federal budget cuts, leading to a predictable bureaucratic meltdown.
The Reshuffling of the U.S. Government
As the Trump administration flexes its muscle in reordering Washington’s power structure, two high-profile resignations have already landed. The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration stepped down, reportedly due to disputes over data-sharing requests from DOGE. Meanwhile, Jim Jones, the FDA’s food chief, also resigned—allegedly over policy clashes with the Trump team.
Between shadow negotiations on Ukraine, a billionaire’s unofficial advisory role, and a government shake-up, Washington is anything but quiet these days. But as always, the real question remains: Who actually stands to benefit from these backroom dealings? For now, Ukraine isn’t on that list.
