They spoke on the phone for two hours! The lives of thousands of soldiers in Ukraine depend on the outcome of the conversation between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—as does the return of economic growth in Europe. According to the latest reports, things are looking good.

According to Russian state media, Putin described the telephone conversation with Trump as “open and substantial.” The conversation took place after the White House had previously stated that the US president was “tired and increasingly frustrated” with both sides of the conflict and wanted to see an end to it soon. Trump also spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Zelensky on the same day, according to the presidential office in Kiev.

Vladimir Putin said the phone call with Trump was “very useful in terms of content.” He also thanked Trump for his support in resuming direct talks between Moscow and Kiev. Further statements by the Russian dictator:

Russia is ready to work on a memorandum for a future peace agreement with Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine must find compromises that are acceptable to both sides.

A ceasefire with Ukraine is possible if appropriate agreements are reached – an immediate ceasefire has not been agreed.

The central question in the ongoing negotiations remains: Will Russia agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine in the next few days? Or will President Vladimir Putin once again succeed in distracting Donald Trump from the actual agenda with alternative proposals? In any case, ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine have now been agreed upon – with immediate effect, directly in the Vatican, as Donald Trump has proposed.

At an earlier meeting, the Kremlin leader had already avoided making a concrete commitment to a ceasefire, instead surprisingly proposing a series of symbolic sporting events, including ice hockey games between the US and Russia. Trump is said to have found the idea appealing. Despite the failure of the peace talks at the time, he did not impose sanctions on Moscow.

Trump under growing pressure

In the meantime, the pressure on Trump has increased significantly, both domestically and internationally. This is especially true since he himself has raised expectations: According to his own statements, the president wants to achieve in a short time what his diplomats have failed to achieve in months of talks – persuading Putin to agree to a ceasefire.

Whether this will actually succeed or whether the meeting will once again end in symbolic gestures remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the world is watching with bated breath for further diplomatic activity – and for Trump’s ability to deliver results in this delicate phase.

Image:
APA