Russian and Ukrainian delegations gathered for the first time in about three years, but negotiations ended without agreement; Kiev accused Moscow of sending representatives ‘puppets’, without decision -making power
The president of the United States, he called his Russian colleague, this Monday (19), as part of the Republican Magnata Crusade to end the war in Ukraine. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised that, if elected, he would close the conflict in 24 hours, which began in February 2022, but his efforts did not pay fruit four months later.
An employee of the White House reported on Monday, on condition of anonymity, that the call had already begun. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reported earlier that the purpose of the call was to “see this conflict coming to an end” and that Trump was “tired and frustrated with both sides.”
Russia said on Monday that this conversation between the leaders was “important,” as it prefers to end the conflict by diplomatic means, despite having launched an attack on Ukraine over the weekend it described as a “record.” “It is preferable to achieve our goals by political and diplomatic means, of course,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told state media. Moscow “appreciates” Washington attempts to end conflicts, he added.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine gathered last week in Türkiye for the first time in about three years. The negotiations ended without a ceasefire agreement and with Kiev accusing Moscow of sending a delegation of “puppets” without decision-making power.
Russia and Ukraine agreed in Türkiye to exchange 1,000 prisoners on each side. After this meeting, Trump announced his intention to talk to Putin to put an end to the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, where there are millions of displaced people.
The Republican also announced that he would speak to his Ukrainian colleague Volodimir Zelensky, and NATO officials to reach “a ceasefire” and “the end of this violent war.” Zelensky asked again on Monday a “total and unconditional ceasefire.”
Sanction
Ukraine and its European allies accuse Putin of ignoring the requests for ceasefire and presses for new sanctions against Russia. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy talked by phone with Trump on Sunday.
“The leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and President Putin take peace negotiations seriously,” said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Stmerer. “They also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia does not seriously commit to a ceasefire and peace negotiations,” said the spokesman.
“Putin must accept a ceasefire and peace negotiations,” wrote German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X. Zelensky discussed the issue of sanctions with US Vice President Jd Vance when they met on Sunday after Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in the Vatican.
Russia announced this weekend that it took control of two cities in the east of the country, Sumy and Donetsk. Moscow also launched 112 drones over Ukraine, 76 of them were repelled, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Victor Oliveira
