President Trump disclosed a productive call with President Putin regarding the Ukraine war. He appointed senior officials to lead negotiations and hinted at meetings in Saudi Arabia. Trump also communicated with Ukraine’s President Zelensky, who emphasized working with the U.S. for lasting peace. Key defense officials commented on NATO membership, calling it unlikely and suggesting unrealistic restoration of Ukraine’s borders. Overall, Trump’s new leadership direction focuses on resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine through diplomatic efforts.
Former President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that he held a “lengthy and highly productive phone call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During this discussion, both leaders expressed their mutual desire to end the ongoing war in Ukraine and hinted at a potential meeting. Trump later reiterated these sentiments in remarks delivered from the White House.
Trump’s post on Truth Social indicated his delegation of roles to several key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to lead negotiations aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the United States and Russia in other diplomatic areas while prioritizing the resolution of the war.
The Kremlin confirmed the nature of the dialogue, noting it lasted for approximately an hour and a half, with Putin extending an invitation to Trump to visit Moscow. This call marks the first interaction between the two since Trump’s recent inauguration.
Regarding the potential meeting venues, Trump mentioned discussions about visiting each other’s countries, with Saudi Arabia suggested as a possible first meeting location.
Additionally, Trump reported communicating with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the conversation’s outcomes. Zelensky subsequently acknowledged their call and reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to working with the United States for peace.
Insights from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth included the U.S. stance that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unlikely and that returning to pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal. Trump mirrored these sentiments, expressing skepticism about NATO membership for Ukraine.
Trump’s former campaign pledged to swiftly resolve the Ukraine conflict, asserting that had he remained in office, the war would not have occurred. He criticized Putin after taking office and advocated for sanctions should the conflict persist.
In summary, President Trump has expressed optimism regarding a potential resolution to the Ukraine conflict following a productive conversation with President Putin. He has tasked several senior officials with leading negotiations and has begun conversations with President Zelensky to facilitate peace talks. The outlook remains tentative, with opinions on Ukraine’s NATO membership and restoration of borders being declared unrealistic by key defense officials. Overall, the interactions between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed toward ending the conflict, with significant discussions ahead regarding obstacles and strategies moving forward.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
