Telephone talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have caused concern in Europe. The two leaders agreed to start talks to end the conflict in Ukraine, but European politicians insist on the mandatory involvement of the EU and Ukraine.
Europe is in shock
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised that peace is only possible with joint efforts, including Ukraine and European states. She noted the need for a joint path to bring peace back to Europe.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also said about the “critical importance” of Ukraine’s participation in any peace talks. She emphasised that for a successful peace agreement it was necessary to “weaken Russia on the battlefield.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacted similarly on his X page, emphasising that Ukraine, Europe and the US should “work together” to achieve peace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said:
“This was a successful telephone conversation. We all want peace in Ukraine… It is crucial that whatever comes out of these talks is solid and lasting.”
Trump and Putin are preparing a meeting
A telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which lasted about an hour and a half, took place on Wednesday evening. During the conversation, the leaders discussed the need to stop hostilities in Ukraine and agreed to immediately start negotiations to resolve the conflict. According to the US president, he heard from his Russian counterpart about the need to resolve the conflict permanently.
Trump added:
“He doesn’t want it to end and then the fighting to continue again in six months.”
After the conversation, Trump said he agreed with Putin on the need to “stop the loss of life” and agreed to start talks between the teams. He also noted that he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the conversation.
Trump also announced the immediate start of talks between Russia and the US on the Ukrainian crisis. On the US side, they will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Walz and Trump’s special envoy Steve Whitkoff.
The Kremlin confirmed the phone talks, emphasising their duration and productive nature. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow.
Talking to Zelensky
The phone conversation with Zelensky took place immediately after the conversation with Putin. The American leader stressed in his conversation with the Ukrainian president that he and Putin had agreed on the need to immediately start negotiations to end the conflict.
In response, Zelensky noted that “Ukraine wants peace more than anyone else” and emphasised the importance of joint steps with the US to achieve this goal. The parties agreed to maintain further contacts and plan upcoming meetings.
Later, Trump announced plans to meet Putin in person in Saudi Arabia. According to him, the main interaction will take place over the phone, but the first face-to-face meeting is likely to take place there. He also did not rule out the participation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the talks.
Ukraine’s accession to NATO unlikely
Earlier, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth voiced the US position on a number of issues that are crucial for the settlement. He said that Ukraine’s return to the 2014 borders is unrealistic, the US does not consider NATO membership as part of the end of the conflict and will not send its troops to ensure security.
Separately, Hegseth discussed Europe’s role in the settlement. He pointed out that the Old World should assume part of the American commitments with regard to Ukraine, and Europeans should not count on Washington’s unconditional and immediate support for their own security. The head of the Pentagon announced that Europe should spend more on its own defence, otherwise they will cease to play a role in any global processes.
Later, Trump partially confirmed Hegseth’s words. He also called Ukraine’s accession to NATO unlikely and a return to the 2014 borders impossible. The US President also said that Ukraine will have to hold elections sooner or later. According to Trump, US aid to Kyiv will continue on condition that the protection of the invested funds is guaranteed.
China offers talks on its territory
Meanwhile, Chinese officials have sent a proposal to the US to hold a summit to meet Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources in Beijing and Washington. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not expected to take part in the meeting.
Analysts believe that now Russia and the US have a chance to build trusting relations that will lead to the success of negotiations on Ukraine. At the same time, Washington has made it clear that it shares Moscow’s demands, which include the recognition of territorial changes and Ukraine’s non-aligned status.
Since the beginning of the Ukrainian military conflict, most European media have been writing about Russia’s complete isolation from the outside world. However, the conversation between the two politicians showed that it is still unclear who remains isolated: Russia, against which hundreds of sanctions have been imposed, or Europe, which imposed these sanctions.
