New Delhi: In a bid to quell the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a significant two-hour phone call. This diplomatic effort follows a tense meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscoring the complexities of achieving peace in the region. European nations remain apprehensive about Trump’s stance on Ukrainian territory, particularly the lack of direct Ukrainian involvement in these high-stakes negotiations.
The phone call between Trump and Putin was a crucial step in negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives over more than three years. This conversation occurred nearly three weeks after Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, during which the U.S. President indicated a willingness to discuss which parts of Ukraine Russia could potentially retain. However, European nations are increasingly concerned that any concessions made to Russia might not adequately consider Ukrainian interests.
A key point of contention is Putin’s insistence on non-negotiable conditions for a ceasefire, including the cessation of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire but rejects Moscow’s conditions, calling for an unconditional acceptance of a truce. Furthermore, Putin remains opposed to the deployment of NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, attributing the war’s origins to NATO’s involvement.
The situation is further complicated by Trump’s previous statements suggesting a division of Ukrainian territory, which has raised alarms among European nations. Despite these challenges, both sides have expressed a desire to continue peace talks, with the next round potentially taking place in the Middle East.
