Trump-Putin call short on details, plenty of warm words nothing concrete on ceasefire

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The two hour phone call produced plenty of warm words but little by way of concrete commitments, reports BBC.

So, no 30-day ceasefire at this stage; no announcement of a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin; no new deadlines; no indication of the promised negotiations being at the highest level, and no indication that Russia is prepared to make any concessions to its longstanding demands.

Perhaps the most telling phrase from Washington was when President Trump said the conditions for an end to the war will be negotiated between the two parties – Ukraine and Russia.

This from the man who has always insisted he is the only person who can bring about an end to the conflict.

Washington has, for some time now, been more than hinting that its patience is wearing out and that the administration could simply walk away from the situation.

For Ukraine, that could be disastrous, particularly if it was coupled with an end to military, humanitarian and intelligence assistance.

European leaders are still firmly behind President Zelensky, but without US muscle and money, their efforts may not be sufficient to sustain Ukraine’s resistance.

Crucial talks between key international players are continuing in an attempt to bring about peace in Ukraine.

Today, US President Donald Trump has made separate calls to both Russian President Putin and Ukraine’s President Zelensky – but what’s come from their conversations?

Donald Trump:

• The US president says his chat with Putin went “very well”, adding that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire”

• He says the talks show “progress”, but suggests it should be left for the warring countries to decide the conditions for a ceasefire between themselves

Vladimir Putin:

• The Russian leader tells reporters that Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on reaching a memorandum for peace and is prepared to discuss “compromises” – though he doesn’t clarify what this would involve

• He adds that he wants the “root causes of the crisis” to be addressed, but suggests that on the whole, negotiations were “on the right track”

Volodymyr Zelensky:

• Ukraine’s president suggests that he is considering a “high-level” meeting between Ukraine, Russia, the US, EU countries and Britain to end the war

• Zelensky also urges the US to not distance itself from discussions, adding that “what’s needed is a mirrored readiness from Russia to engage in meaningful talks”
‘No talk of a timeframe for ceasefire in Ukraine to begin’ – Kremlin’s foreign policy aide

Russian news agency Tass reports that the Kremlin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters there had been no talk about a timeframe for the ceasefire in Ukraine to begin.

As a reminder, US President Donald Trump earlier said Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” start ceasefire negotiations to end the war.

Tass also reports Ushakov suggested that Putin praised Trump’s role in bringing Kyiv to the negotiating table and said the pair intended to continue their dialogue.

Zelensky reasserts his red lines

After not one, but two phone calls with Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky has reasserted his red lines.

He says he won’t give in to Russia’s continued demands, which include the complete control of five Ukrainian regions.

“Ukraine won’t withdraw its troops on its own territories,” he said.

The president again committed to an agreed prisoner of war exchange, and said preparations were already being made for more direct talks with Moscow.

But there are two things he wants that he still isn’t getting.

Donald Trump won’t condemn Vladimir Putin for his continued invasion, nor has he seriously threatened further sanctions to force him to agree to a ceasefire.

President Zelensky is also calling for a ceasefire before talks can begin. Today suggests there’ll be even more talks about talks before any pauses in fighting.