Ukraine: Peace seems to be even further removed after Trump – Putin phone call

The cnn, in the analysis oflowers the bar for the expectations that must be achieved for peace in Ukraine after the phone call of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Trump reiterated his complaints about the cost of war in Ukraine

The well -known American medium refers to the « power of personality » of the US president (ed. Left for his envoy, Steve Whitkov) and notes that the long -awaited phone call more emphasized how far Peace is than there is some progress.

The phone call between the two leaders also asked new questions about how much Trump really wants to get involved and expanded the transatlantic divisions about ending the war.

What does Kiev and its European allies ask for, what Moscow offers

Ukraine and its European partners are pushing for a ceasefire for 30 days to give time to start talks for a permanent peace agreement.

Moscow has refused, insisting on talks now on a final agreement. Since this process could take months, this looks like a trick to allow Russia to continue its attacks that kill innocent civilians, CNN writes.

Announcing after a phone call with Putin that Ukraine and Russia will now hold talks « as only they can » for the ceasefire and eventually ending the war, while the battles are raging, Trump came to the side of his friend in the Kremlin.

Trump also added new ambiguity to an increasingly unmistakable peace effort on Monday. He did nothing to reassure his vice -president’s previous proposal, Jay Di Vans, that the US can simply crash their hands if there is no progress.

The threat of leaving is a classic bay of negotiators. But given the extreme skepticism of the US government to provide assistance to Ukraine, this may not be bluff, CNN points out.

Trump « may not really try to push Putin at all »

Trump also left the impression that the US would play a less direct role while Russia and Ukraine were talking. He generally said that the Vatican and young American Pope Leo could be involved. Most observers believe that there will be no peace if America does not exert the highest possible influence.

« It seems to me that the president may not have really tried to push Putin at all. It is good that they had a two -hour conversation, but what do we have? « Asked Beth Senner, a former deputy director of the national intelligence.

« We have Putin to continue the very maximalist demands … A deal to talk about a outline of a future peace agreement and possibly a ceasefire that will come after agreements on many things, » Sanner told Boris Sanchez.

Russia seems very satisfied with the phone call

As usual, CNN writes, there is a mystery about how many issues discussed Trump and Putin, with the former often showing his respect for the latter.

External observers only know what the Kremlin and White House want to know how it went.

However, Russian officials have offered some tickling indications for the atmosphere of the telephone conference.

« I will tell you that talks of such duration are rare when neither of the two presidents wanted to end the discussion and close the phone, » Kremlin’s presidential adviser Yuri Usakov said on Monday in comments that will not limit his concerns.

Before it was made, Monday’s phone call seemed that this could mark a focal point in the US -hearted effort to end the war.

In addition, Trump told Fox News in an interview during his Middle East tour last week that it was « turkey time » in English, creating expectations that he would be tough with Putin.

Also, on Sunday, Trump’s envoy Steve Whitkov told ABC News that « the president has a personality power that has no opponent. »

Witten added: « He has to talk to President Putin on the phone and this will clear some of the problems and lead us to the point where we need to get. And I think it will be a very successful phone call. « 

Vladimir Putin.

No new American sanctions are foreseen

However, Trump will not use the US negotiating power – for example, he could harden sanctions against Russia or send more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, CNN writes.

In the absence of a deadline or greater specialization, however, the threats of Trump’s previous period look hollow. They look like a designed ataka to lighten the pressure on himself rather than to draw Putin’s attention, the American medium notes.

Trump also reiterated his complaints about the cost of war in Ukraine, making it clear that he would not give the military aid sent to Kiev by the Biden government, without which the effort to repulsive Russian forces would be significantly reduced.

« We gave a huge amount … it’s just a shame, » the US president said.

Zelenski, kindly, opposed Trump’s place

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski wrote in X after talking that he had spoken with Trump twice on Monday – once before the US leader spoke with Putin and then about joint information with European leaders, including French President Emmoumou Macoum.

Given the strategic necessity for Zelenski to avoid a new conflict with the president after disagreeing with the Oval Office in February, he was diplomatic.

But in a long statement to X, Zelenski disagreed with Trump’s formula. He demanded stricter sanctions against Russia if he is not willing to stop killing Ukrainians. He proposed immediate negotiations with Russia in the Vatican, Turkey or Switzerland, but said that European and US representatives should participate. And he warned: « It is vital for all of us not to remove the United States from the conversations and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from it is Putin. »

The Zelenski post on X:

I spoke with @Potus Twice Today. First, We had a One-on-One Call Before his Conversation with the Head of Russia, and Later We Spoke Together with President Trump and European Leaders President President @EmmanuelmacronPrime minister @GiorgiameloniFederal Chancellor @bundeskanzler,… pic.twitter.com/mm6a0pro84

– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / володимир зеленський (@zelenskyyua) May 19, 2025

« This is a decisive moment. People can now see if their leaders are really capable of securing a ceasefire and achieving a real, constant peace, « Zelenski wrote in a comment, as CNN reports, which could also be read as a criticism of Trump’s efforts.

‘Rough attempts’ – comparing gauze

Trump often says that he wants to devote his second term to the achievement of peace. And if he meant it honestly, he could leave the world in better shape, CNN writes.

« My whole life is like the deals – a big deal, » Trump said on Monday.

However, his efforts so far are rough. After all, the battles in Ukraine and Gaza have intensified since he took over his duties. Trump claimed a remarkable humanitarian victory last week by securing the liberation of the last living US hostage in Gaza, agreeing with indirect talks with Hamas who bypassed Israel.

However, Trump’s reduced interest in ending the war that began after the attacks of 7 October 2023 has led to a vacuum. Now Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a new attack aimed at controlling the entire enclave, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving. Their condition is a bad omen for Ukraine, if Washington loses interest there and there, CNN writes.

These conflicts are the result of historical and nationalist complaints, the American media notes. Each of them can be existential for interested leaders, so Trump’s superficial efforts are not stated.

CNN wonders if Putin really « works » Trump

« I think Putin wants to do it … If I thought President Putin didn’t want to end with it, I wouldn’t even talk about it, » Trump told the Oval Office.

But it is harder than ever to be optimistic that the Russian leader really wants to end the war soon, CNN estimates.

Of course, the conflict was catastrophic for the Russian economy and killed tens of thousands of young Russians. But in its announcement, Russia said that Putin stressed that in order to end the war, its « deepest causes » must be addressed.

Sure, Putin wants peace, but only in terms that would be impossible to accept Ukraine while remaining independent, CNN writes.

A few weeks ago, Trump called on Russia to stop attacking civilians and wondered if Putin « worked me ».

The question posed by CNN, concluding, is whether after a phone call with Putin, the US president must feel this even more.

Source: In