During a “lengthy and highly productive” phone chat with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said both leaders agreed to start immediate Ukraine peace negotiations to stop the continuous war. On his Truth Social page, Trump said they had “agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately” and extended mutual invites to visit each other’s capital.
Ukraine's response is as follows?
Following the U.S.-Russia talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “good and detailed conversation” with President Trump on a “lasting, reliable peace.” Zelensky stressed, “No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Along with the United States, we are planning our next actions to stop Russian aggression and guarantee a consistent peace. He also revealed preparations to see Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Vice-President JD Vance during a defense forum on Ukraine in Munich on Friday.
What follows about Ukraine's NATO membership?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump both expressed doubts about Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership. At a NATO conference, Hegseth said that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 boundaries is “an unrealistic objective” and that aiming such goals will only help to prolong the war and inflict more pain. While the United States concentrates on its own security and the threat presented by China, he said the U.S. does not favor NATO membership for Ukraine in a peace agreement and expects European nations to offer more financial and military help. The change in policy could have a big impact on the direction of Ukraine’s peace negotiations and their outcomes.
Where Will the Leaders Get Together?
President Trump said to White House reporters, “We’ll meet in Saudi Arabia,” however no precise date was announced for a face-to–face meeting between Trump and Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed Putin supports Trump’s initiative and invited Trump to visit Moscow. These advances indicate a significant turning point in the direction of Ukraine’s peace negotiations among the opposing sides.
What Should I Do Next?
Trump and Putin decided to have their teams start negotiations right away during over an hour and a half on the phone. Trump also said that “some of that land will come back” but it is doubtful Ukraine will revert to its pre-2014 borders. The results of these conversations will define the course of Ukraine’s peace negotiations and decide the speed with which a settlement can be arrived.
