United States president Donald Trump announced a crucial change in U.S. policy towards Kiev. During a telephone conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin, both leaders agreed to open negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump revealed that the conversation with Putin lasted more than an hr and is optimistic after it to further make the situation.
"I think we're on our way to peace," said the American President.
According to Trump's account, Putin was about to end the conflict.
"People didn't truly know what president Putin thought. But I think I can say with large certainty that he besides wants to end it, so that's good – and we will effort to finish it as shortly as possible," said Trump to journalists in the Oval Office.
The president of the United States announced that he would shortly “probably” meet with Putin in person, suggesting that talks could take place in Saudi Arabia. He besides added that he contacted the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski, although he did not specify whether Kiev would be an equal associate in negotiations with Russia.
"An interesting point. I think they request to get to peace," Trump commented.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski in his evening speech confirmed his conversation with Trump and expressed his cautious optimism about his commitment to the peace process.
"We appreciate the President's sincere interest in our common opportunities and ways of achieving actual peace," he said.
However, Zelenski stressed that "the strength of America, together with Ukraine and all our partners, is adequate to force Russia into peace." An entry about a akin speech besides appeared on his authoritative social media profiles.
U.S. changes position on NATO membership and Ukraine borders
Meanwhile, the fresh United States defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at a gathering at the NATO office in Brussels described Ukraine's efforts to join the Alliance as "unrealistic".
"We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we gotta start by acknowledging that returning to the pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal," Hegseth said.
The Secretary of defence besides added that further pursuit of the "illusory purpose" would only prolong the war and bring more suffering. However, he assured that any lasting peace agreement must contain "strong safety guarantees to prevent the outbreak of war again".
Trump himself referred to the question of Ukraine's membership of NATO, saying, "I personally do not think it is practical." This represents a clear departure from Joe Biden's administration policy, which, since Russia's invasion in February 2022, declared that Kiev's accession to the Alliance was "inevitable".
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Pieskov confirmed that the main subject of the leadership's discussion was the war in Ukraine, but there were besides themes concerning the mediate East and Iran.
Mr Pieskov stressed that Trump had called for a "quick cessation of war effort and a peaceful agreement" and Putin "dedicated the request to remove the root causes of the conflict" and agreed that a long-term solution could be achieved through peace talks.
"The president of Russia supported 1 of the main assumptions of the president of the United States that it was time for our 2 countries to start working together," Pieskov added.
Vladimir Putin was besides expected to invitation Donald Trump to Moscow and express his willingness to host American officials in Russia to discuss issues of common interest, including those concerning Ukraine.
Washington wants access to Ukrainian natural materials
In the context of the peace talks, there were besides reports of a possible agreement between the Trump administration and Ukraine on the continuation of military aid. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kiev as Trump's first cabinet associate and held talks about future support for Ukraine.
According to unofficial sources, Trump's administration is considering further supplies of military aid in exchange for access to Ukrainian uncommon earth deposits and oil and gas resources.
Trump suggested that military support for Ukraine would continue, but Bessent sought written guarantees regarding American access to Ukraine's natural resources.
