Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a \"lengthy and productive\" phone call on Wednesday, agreeing to accelerate efforts toward a Ukraine ceasefire and explore an in-person meeting, according to statements from both sides. The conversation signals renewed diplomacy between the two leaders as global tensions escalate.
From Phone Calls to Face-to-Face
Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, with Trump suggesting Saudi Arabia as a potential meeting venue. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized Putinâs focus on addressing the Ukraine conflictâs root causes, while Trump claimed the leaders want to \"stop the millions of deaths\" in the war. U.S. negotiators, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, will begin talks immediately.
Ukraineâs NATO Future in Question
Trump later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, affirming support for peace efforts but aligning with Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethâs NATO summit remarks that Ukraineâs membership is \"unlikely.\" This stance matches Washingtonâs push for European nations to take greater responsibility for Ukraineâs defense costs.
UN Cautiously Optimistic
The United Nations welcomed the dialogue as a \"positive\" step, with spokesperson Farhan Haq stating, \"We appreciate any efforts to resolve the war involving both sides.\" While the UN remains open to mediation, specifics of its role remain undefined.
AI, Energy, and Beyond
Beyond Ukraine, the leaders discussed Middle East stability, Iranâs nuclear program, and emerging technologies like AI. The 90-minute call underscored overlapping strategic interests, hinting at potential collaboration despite long-standing geopolitical friction.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
