When American journalist John Reed chronicled the 1917 Russian Revolution, he called his book “Ten Days That Shook the World.” But for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, a week has been enough to send global politics into a tailspin.

It all started on February 12 with a phone call. Trump and Putin spoke for the first time since Trump re-entered office. The conversation, reportedly warm, was laced with promises to reset U.S.-Russia relations. Trump is said to have assured Putin that America is ready for "a new approach." The Kremlin welcomed the call, signaling a potential thaw between the two leaders.

The rest of the world, however, was not so sure.

While Russian media celebrated, Western leaders braced themselves for what was coming next. The rekindling of U.S.-Russia relations was bound to ruffle feathers in Europe and beyond.

The Munich Security Conference Sets the Alarm

Vance / IG / Europe had long relied on Washington’s leadership. But now, as the U.S. seemingly ‘backs off’ from supporting Ukraine, uncertainty looms.

Days later, the annual Munich Security Conference laid bare a growing divide between the U.S. and its European allies. U.S. Vice President JD Vance made headlines by hinting at a shift in American foreign policy. His remarks suggested Washington’s patience with supporting Ukraine might be wearing thin. European leaders, accustomed to unwavering U.S. backing, were left alarmed.

Without clear commitments from the U.S., European nations were left scrambling to reassess their defense strategies. The rift between the continents was becoming increasingly evident.

The Saudi Arabia Talks Europe Didn't See Coming

By midweek, all eyes were on Saudi Arabia. For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, senior American and Russian officials sat across from each other in high-level negotiations. Notably absent? Any Ukrainian or European representatives.

The optics alone were enough to send shockwaves through Brussels and Kyiv.

These talks signified a major geopolitical shift. If America was engaging in direct discussions with Russia without involving its traditional allies, what did that mean for Ukraine? The White House's silence about the meeting’s details only added to the anxiety.

BBC / IG / European officials worry that Trump may force them to take on more responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.

The response from Moscow’s elite was triumphant. Pro-Kremlin voices boasted that Trump, unlike his predecessors, understood the reality on the ground in Ukraine. Some analysts speculated that Trump would push for a settlement favorable to Russia.

Meanwhile, European leaders scrambled to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine. Even as they privately worried about what an emboldened Trump might do next.

Reactions From Moscow’s Streets

On the streets of Moscow, however, reactions were more subdued. Many Russians viewed the developments with cautious optimism. Some hoped Trump’s return would mean an end to sanctions and a path to peace. Others remained skeptical, recalling that Trump had talked warmly about Russia before but had done little to ease tensions in practice.

"Trump is a businessman. He is only interested in making deals," says one Moscow resident. "I don’t think anything will change overnight."

However, Russian media pushed a more triumphant narrative. The tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets even ran a satirical piece imagining Trump’s phone call with Putin:

"Trump called Putin.
‘Vladimir! You’ve got a cool country and I’ve got a cool country. Shall we go and divide up the world?’
‘What have I been saying all along? Let’s do it!'

Of course, it was all make-believe. But the humor reflected a deeper reality: Many Russians believe Trump is their best shot at a favorable U.S. policy shift.