Zelenski: We will not withdraw the army from areas we control – the darkest time for Ukraine
Telephone communication between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin can be of crucial importance. The two leaders are looking for a « clean corridor » to end the war in Ukraine, but they start from a different starting point.
The Russian president told reporters that he had « meaningful, honest and very useful » conversations with the US president. He also said that he is in favor of a « peaceful resolution » and is ready to work with Kiev for a memorandum on future peace talks.
Donald Trump has announced that there will be immediate negotiations for a ceasefire and, above all, to end the war.
He ruled that « the mood and spirit of the conversation were great » and « dressed » the conversations and with the business interest that would recover as soon as this devastating « blood bath » is over.
He then briefed Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski, European Commission President Ursula von der Laienne, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, German Chancellor of Germany.
Unmoved the « alliance of the willing » plans to increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions.
The three axes that Russia puts on the table
According to RIA Novosti, the Russian president said that Moscow is ready to propose and work with Ukraine on a « peaceful resolution » memorandum of their disputes, setting three key pillars to do so:
- Conflict arrangement principles
- Timetable for a possible peace agreement
- Temporary ceasefire of fire, if consensus is
« Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum that will set a number of positions such as the authorities of war settlement, deadlines and the possibility of temporary truce, » he said. Putin reiterated that « the key is to eliminate the primary causes of the crisis » and spoke of « compromise » without mentioning who they may be. The Russian leader avoided supporting the proposed 30 -day unconditional ceasefire, which, according to US officials, was the main goal of communicating the two men.
There is no timetable for the ceasefire of fire
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump did not discuss a timetable for the ceasefire in Ukraine during their two -hour telephone conversation earlier, but Trump emphasized his interest in reaching agreements quickly, the Kremlin said.
Reuters reports that Kremlin Advisor Yuri Usakov also told reporters that the two leaders had discussed the exchange of nine Russians with nine US prisoners as part of a debate on improving bilateral relations.
Up and down
Relationships between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin since the start of the US president’s second term were something like a « train of horror ».
Trump, who promised his second term that he would finish the war in Ukraine in the first 24 hours of his term, not only failed but « Agomahah » to bring to the table the two sides insisting on a road without a return.
With nothing to be given the US president appears with two people in more than 100 days at the wheel of the US.
And this is because Trump and Putin talked on February 12, in a debate that the US president described as « extremely productive » but a few days later, in March he was removed from this position, saying he was « very angry » and « pissed off » with Putin after weeks. The US president criticized Putin of attacking Zelenski’s credibility and threatened to impose a 50% duty on countries buying Russian oil if the Russian president did not agree on a ceasefire, which was not done.
The third phone call
It is noted that the two leaders have spoken three times since the day he was elected US president, Donald Trump. The first official announced Trump – Putin telephone communication took place on 12 February. The second phone call was made on March 18 and the third today, May 19th.
The difficult « path » of Zelenski
On a day when the developments are stormy, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said Kiev and his partners are considering organizing a summit of Ukraine, Russia, United States, European Union and European Union.
Speaking to reporters in Kiev after two telephone conversations Monday with Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader said he hoped that the meeting could be made as soon as possible and that it could be hosted by Turkey, the Vatican or the Swiss.
Zelenski also announced that he ordered the formation of a « permanent and expanded national negotiation group ». In a post on Facebook, the Ukrainian president said: « Ukraine is not afraid of direct talks with Russia and it is important that the Russian leadership does not extend the war. »
Shortly afterwards, at a press conference, he told Trump not to make decisions that would not take into account Ukraine. « I asked him not to make decisions about Ukraine, without Ukraine before his conversation with Putin, » Zelenski said. « These are issues of principle for us and very important, » he added.
The fixed request for sanctions
He sent a message that Ukraine would not agree to withdraw its armed forces from areas that are still under its control, which Moscow claims to have fully attached. Commenting on the Kremlin’s reference to a « memorandum » that will determine the framework of a future peace agreement, Zelenski said he is currently not aware of details about it, but added that Kiev would be willing to consider the Russian proposal.
The Ukrainian president also said he expects Europe to announce a « powerful » new package of sanctions against Russia, though he did not further clarify. It called on the United States to impose sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sector to reduce revenue for its military needs.
Embarrassed Commission – The Pope’s Role
European Commission President Ursula von der Laien said he had a « good phone call » with Trump, as the US president informed European leaders about his conversation with Putin. In a post on X, von der Laien thanked Trump « for his tireless efforts to be a ceasefire to Ukraine. It is important for the US to remain committed ‘to this purpose, he said.
Meanwhile, leaders of the European Union and the United States welcomed Pope Leo’s readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Vatican, according to an announcement by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. « Work is being carried out to start negotiations between the two sides, which can lead to a ceasefire as soon as possible and build the conditions for a fair and enduring peace in Ukraine, » the statement said.
Meloni’s office adds that the Pope’s offer to host the talks has been positively accepted and that Italy is ready to contribute to facilitating contacts and work for peace.
In addition to the Vatican, Switzerland and Istanbul they « play » loudly to host the negotiations.
The road open and for meeting the two leaders
In the aftermath of Trump -Putin talks, international analysts havetened to say that telephone communication « will probably not be decisive » as the two sides expect a two -legged two leaders who will deepen the key points of the negotiations. Sky News defense and security analyst expects that contacts will culminate with the organization of a summit.
Last week, delegations of Moscow and Kiev found themselves in Constantinople and discussed for the first time in three years. The two sides have agreed to the exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side, and the talks will continue, on a date that has not yet been announced.
