Analyst questions if Russia is manipulating Trump’s negotiations

A Fox News political analyst is raising questions about whether former President Donald Trump is being manipulated by Russia during peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine. Brit Hume expressed his concerns on social media, suggesting that the Trump administration may be at a disadvantage in negotiations. According to a report cited by Hume, Russia is intentionally dragging out peace discussions to gain more territory and improve its bargaining position with the U.S. Sources indicate that time is benefiting Russia, which aims to maximize its advantages amid the ongoing conflict. Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Ukraine following a meeting last month, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This led to a temporary halt in U.S. aid and intelligence support for Ukraine, which is fighting against Russian forces. Despite Trump’s past claims that he could end the war in just 24 hours, reaching a peace agreement has proven difficult. U.S. negotiators are set to meet with Russian officials to discuss a partial cease-fire, but achieving even a short truce has been challenging. Disagreements remain over which military targets would be off-limits during any cease-fire. While the White House suggests that energy and infrastructure should be protected, Russia has different interpretations, complicating the negotiations further. Talks in Riyadh are expected to address these issues and discuss a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to protect commercial shipping.