U.S. President Donald Trump informed European leaders this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin is just not prepared for peace in Ukraine as a result of he believes he’s successful the battle, the Wall Avenue Journal reported on Could 22, citing three undisclosed sources.
Trump's reported assertion marked the primary time he acknowledged to European leaders what they and Kyiv have lengthy maintained — the Kremlin has no intention of ending its full-scale battle in opposition to Ukraine.
The dialog on Could 19 reportedly included President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Earlier the identical day, Trump held a telephone name with Putin, days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, the place Russia despatched a delegation of low-level officers.
European leaders on the decision reportedly appeared "stunned" that Trump was "comparatively content material" with what he heard from Putin, Axios reported on Could 20.
Regardless of U.S. efforts, Putin has proven little willingness to compromise to realize a settlement. After the decision, Putin reiterated Russia's maximalist calls for, denying full ceasefire settlement.
Since taking the workplace in January, Trump has been inconsistent in his rhetoric towards the Russian chief, at instances voicing frustration with the stalled peace efforts however largely avoiding direct criticism of Putin.
Though Trump now appears to acknowledge that Putin is just not ready to pursue peace, the White Home to this point has not but imposed new sanctions or taken direct steps to penalize Russia, regardless of rising frustration amongst allies.
Ukraine accepted the U.S.-backed unconditional 30-day ceasefire when Washington first proposed it on March 11. Russia rejected the proposal and continued its assaults.
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta