Donald Trump reports a productive call with Vladimir Putin about ending the Ukraine war. He has appointed key officials for negotiations and indicated potential meetings in Saudi Arabia. Trump also discussed the situation with Ukrainian President Zelensky, affirming their cooperation. However, experts caution about the impracticality of NATO membership for Ukraine and potential complications in the ongoing conflict.
Former President Donald Trump announced on social media that he had a productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing their shared objective of ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump mentioned that he has tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others to lead negotiations aimed at achieving peace between the two nations.
During their discussion, Trump indicated a willingness to collaborate with Russia on various initiatives, emphasizing the potential benefits of future cooperation. The Kremlin confirmed the call’s duration of approximately 90 minutes and noted that Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow.
Uncertainty remains regarding the timing of a potential meeting between the leaders, though Trump expressed optimism about visiting each other’s countries, likely commencing in Saudi Arabia. He elaborated that both leaders agreed to initiate negotiations immediately, starting with informing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of their conversation.
Trump conveyed a positive discussion with Zelensky, informing him about his conversation with Putin, which also explored achieving peace and the upcoming Munich meeting. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate with the U.S. to secure a lasting peace amidst the conflict.
Despite the encouraging dialogue, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized NATO membership for Ukraine as impractical and cautioned against seeking a return to pre-2014 borders, predicting such efforts could prolong suffering. Trump echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the difficulties in Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Historically, Trump asserted that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict imminently if he were in office. He has suggested that the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, would not have occurred during his presidency. Furthermore, he has previously indicated that he would impose sanctions on Russia if the conflict persists.
In summary, Donald Trump’s recent communication with Vladimir Putin reflects a strong desire for peace in Ukraine and a collaborative approach to international relations. With high-level discussions anticipated, both leaders demonstrate a commitment to exploring diplomatic solutions. The complexity of NATO membership and the ongoing war highlights the challenges ahead, yet there are clear intentions for negotiation and cooperation efforts moving forward.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
