Trump converses with Putin: Several points have been settled already
Title: Trump Sets Chat with Putin, Zelensky Ready for Tough Compromises: Ceasefire Unlikely Without Russian Movement
Social Media: #Ukraine #PeaceTalks #Trump #Putin #Zelensky #Europe #US #Russia
US President Donald Trump has underscored the need for ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine, acknowledging that some factors of a settlement have already been agreed upon, while emphasizing there's still work to be done. "Key elements of a final settlement are in place, but there's still much ground to cover," Trump declared via his online platform, Truth Social. "I'm eagerly looking forward to my conversation with President Putin." As Ukraine braces for prolonged conflict, concerns persist in Kyiv and the EU.
Politics - Trump On Ukraine Negotiations: The planned call between Trump and Putin is set for Tuesday (Washington time, which translates to afternoon/evening in Germany) and will mark their second conversation since Trump took office in January. Their first call took place in February, with Trump also proposing a one-on-one meeting with Putin, for which there's yet no scheduled date. Instead, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin last week in Moscow.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated to Fox News Radio that they were closer to peace "than we were two weeks ago or six months ago." However, he also emphasized, "I don't believe anyone has moved to our satisfaction yet." Regarding a meeting between American and Ukrainian government representatives in Saudi Arabia last week, Rubio said they obtained promising concessions from Kyiv. According to Trump, negotiations center on territorial claims, power plants, and the "division of certain goods."
Rubio Pushes For Russian Concessions:
During the talks in Jeddah, Rubio and Trump's security advisor Mike Waltz convinced the Ukrainian leadership to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. The ceasefire, however, will only go into effect if Moscow complies as well. "Now it's up to the Russians to reciprocate," Rubio stressed.
Putin has commended Trump's endeavors to find a solution; however, Putin deems Trump's conditions for a 30-day ceasefire unmet. Among other demands, Putin insists on a guarantee that Ukraine will never join NATO—an assurance the Kyiv government views as their most crucial security assurance for the country.
Politics - Macron and Zelensky Collaborate,seeking concrete peace plan: The impending conflict and further military aid for Kyiv will significantly impact the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron, a prominent suitor of Ukraine, held a pre-summit conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky. "We aligned our stances before the call between Trump and Putin and before discussions in Europe," Zelensky mentioned post-call.
Zelensky reaffirmed his readiness for a ceasefire once more. "However, for implementation, Russia must cease placing conditions," Zelensky emphasized. Macron expresses on X: "Now it's on Russia to prove that it genuinely seeks peace."
Ally unity is essential for developing a clear and enforceable peace strategy that provides robust security guarantees for Ukraine and blocks further Russian assaults.
Putin Resists Peacekeeping Troops:
Zelensky announced upcoming meetings with European partners, with some agreeing to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. These gatherings should help finalize the details of the future security structure in Europe and the ready contingents of partners willing to bring peace to Ukraine. "Pressure is required so that Moscow eventually understands that its war must come to an end," Zelensky stated.
Politics - Trump's Hasty Peace Promise was "Tongue-in-Cheek": Germany was the second greatest arms supplier to Ukraine after the USA in the first three years of the conflict. The German government promises lasting solidarity to achieve a fair peace.
Macron will also hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin today, with discussions centered on strengthening Europe's defense capability in view of the EU summit. A meeting with Scholz's prospective successor, Friedrich Merz, is also scheduled.
The Ukrainian government and its European allies fear that Trump may force a settlement that would, in essence, mark a Russian victory in the costly war that has devastated large sections of Ukraine and claimed countless lives.
Keywords - US, Ukraine, Russia, Putin, Trump, Zelensky, EU, NATO
- The European Union, committed to the implementation of the EU's nuclear programme, is closely watching the ongoing negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia, particularly as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the war in Ukraine.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that while key elements of a final settlement have been agreed upon, Russia must reciprocate to implement a 30-day ceasefire as agreed upon during talks in Jeddah between diplomats, including Rubio and Trump's security advisor Mike Waltz, and Ukrainian leadership.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to align their stances ahead of the impending calls between Trump and Putin and the EU summit in Brussels, with Zelensky emphasizing that a ceasefire can only be implemented if Russia ceases placing conditions. The EU is working towards finalizing details of a future security structure in Europe, with some European partners agreeing to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.
