
U.S. President Donald Trump held telephone calls with each Russian chief Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting on Feb. 12 that negotiations to finish the conflict would start "instantly" and a ceasefire in Ukraine is within the "not too distant future."
"I simply spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The dialog went very nicely. He, like President Putin, needs to make peace. We mentioned quite a lot of matters having to do with the conflict, however principally, the assembly that’s being arrange on Friday in Munich, the place Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation," Trump wrote.
Earlier, U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth added that it’s unrealistic to count on Ukraine to revive its 2014 borders in any negotiations with Moscow and that NATO membership for Ukraine is off the desk.

Each Hegseth's and Trump's remarks shortly drew sharp criticism from numerous political figures.
Senator Richard Blumenthal condemned Hegseth’s message, calling it a "give up & betrayal" of Ukraine. Blumenthal, who has made six visits to Ukraine throughout its struggle towards Russia, argued that the message amounted to abandoning Ukraine and undermining the safety of European allies. He emphasised the unquenchable braveness of Ukrainians, including, "They may persevere."
Give up & betrayal—this SecDef Hegseth message quantities to abandoning Ukraine, & undercutting the safety of our European allies. Having made 6 visits to Ukraine throughout its struggle towards Putin’s bloody assault, I do know Ukrainians’ braveness is unquenchable. They may persevere. https://t.co/oHuQ2tWzH6
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 12, 2025
Rep. Don Bacon shared comparable issues, urging the U.S. to acknowledge who began the conflict and who was chargeable for the indiscriminate bombing of cities. "We should always have ethical readability who began this conflict, who’s bombing cities indiscriminately and who our actual pal right here is," Bacon mentioned, emphasizing the results of rewarding the invader.
Senator Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, wrote: "At the moment, President Trump known as our enemy, Russia, earlier than calling our ally, Ukraine."
At the moment, President Trump known as our enemy, Russia, earlier than calling our ally, Ukraine.
In the meantime, his Secretary of Protection, dominated out a future for Ukraine in NATO and a restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty over its personal lands.
Let’s not mince phrases about what this represents: a…— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) February 12, 2025
European leaders adopted with robust opinions. Former European Council President Donald Tusk mentioned on X: "All we want is peace. A JUST PEACE. Ukraine, Europe, and the US ought to work on this collectively. TOGETHER."
Estonian politician Marko Mihkelson expressed his concern, saying, "At the moment may go down in historical past as a darkish day for Europe," urging European leaders to acknowledge the significance of taking motion now.
At the moment may go down in historical past as a darkish day for Europe. It now is dependent upon European leaders to lastly acknowledge that we should take our destiny into our personal arms – proper now.
— Marko Mihkelson (@markomihkelson) February 12, 2025
In the meantime, Kaja Kallas, the EU's high diplomat, reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, declaring, "Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity are unconditional." She pressured the necessity for Europe to play a central position in strengthening Ukraine and offering strong safety ensures in any negotiations.
Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity are unconditional.
Our precedence should now be strengthening Ukraine and offering strong safety ensures.
In any negotiation, Europe should have a central position.
Our Weimar+ assertion ↓ pic.twitter.com/PfdvQ4UND1— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 12, 2025
Zelensky, together with a number of high U.S. officers, together with Trump's Ukraine and Russia envoy Keith Kellogg and Vice President JD Vance, is about to attend the Munich Safety Convention from February 14-16, the place he’s anticipated to satisfy with each figures, based on the President's Workplace.
Kellogg can also be scheduled to go to Ukraine on Feb. 20, whereas Trump talked about plans to satisfy with Zelensky quickly, although he didn’t specify the situation or timing. The potential peace negotiations are anticipated to be the principle focus of those discussions.