In a significant diplomatic maneuver, President Trump has now reportedly initiated a crucial call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at revitalizing stalled peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
This development follows a brief conversation Trump held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where he sought guidance on how to approach the Russian leader.
According to a U.S. official, Zelensky advised Trump to advocate for a 30-day cease-fire, propose a future meeting between himself, Zelensky, and Putin, and emphasize that any decisions regarding Ukraine should involve Kyiv.
This sequence of calls highlights a shifting dynamic in diplomatic relations, with the Trump administration increasingly viewing Putin as the primary obstacle to peace. The alignment between the U.S. and Ukraine appears stronger now, despite previous tensions between Trump and Zelensky.
The focus of the Trump-Putin dialogue will revolve around Russia’s willingness to agree to an unconditional cease-fire, a move that Ukraine has expressed support for.
In recent days, Trump has urged Putin to halt ongoing attacks, which have seen a surge of drone strikes against Ukrainian targets. Nevertheless, the Kremlin continues to stall diplomatic efforts, even while presenting a facade of openness to peace.
Vice President JD Vance remarked that Trump aims to confront Putin directly during their call. “There’s a bit of an impasse here,” Vance stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
He added that if Russia appears disinterested in negotiations, the U.S. is prepared to withdraw from the dialogue. “We’re not going to spin our wheels here. We want to see outcomes,” Vance asserted, expressing doubt about Putin’s strategic intentions regarding the conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump is open to an in-person meeting with Putin to facilitate a cessation of hostilities. “Let’s see how this call goes today,” she noted, reiterating Trump’s commitment to achieving a cease-fire and ending the conflict.
Frustration with both parties in the conflict has reportedly grown within the administration.
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump is expected to reach out to Zelensky once more.
This diplomatic flurry comes on the heels of a meeting between Zelensky and Vance in Rome, marking their first in-person encounter since a tense Oval Office meeting earlier this year.
As Trump continues his diplomatic outreach, including discussions with NATO leaders, his recent trip to the Middle East raised eyebrows when he expressed interest in talks with Putin in Turkey, only for Putin to send lower-level aides instead.
This moment of missed opportunity highlighted the complexities of U.S.-Russian relations amid ongoing tensions.
The prospect of Trump negotiating with Moscow has raised concerns among European allies, who fear that the U.S. might pursue a separate deal that could undermine their collective efforts to support Ukraine.
As this diplomatic saga unfolds, the stakes remain high, with the potential for significant ramifications on the geopolitical landscape.
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