It was a confirmation of what European leaders had for a long time assumed about Putin, but it was the first time that they heard it directly from Trump.
Also, it was in conflict with what Trump often spoke publicly – that he believed Putin sincerely wants peace. The White House refused to comment on Trump’s publication on social networks on Monday about the talks with the path: “The tone and the spirit of the conversation were extraordinary. If it weren’t that, I’d say that.”
Although Trump seemed to have accepted Putin not ready for peace, this did not make what European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodimir Greenski claims that he should – strengthen Russia, writes the Wall Street Journal.
Trump announced sanctions, then gave up the day later
Trump was previously talked on Sunday with European leaders, the day before a two-hour conversation with the path. Then he had hinted that he could introduce sanctions if Putin refuses the ceasefire, according to people familiar with the conversation. By Monday, he changed his attitude again. He wasn’t ready for that. Trump said he wanted to quickly start interviews at the lower level between Russia and Ukraine in the Vatican.
The conversation was attended on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen.
It was partially the cultimation of the European diplomatic offensive, which began ten days earlier, with the aim of trumping to perform pressure on Putin. Although efforts eventually failed to convince Trump to do this through additional sanctions, Europeans still pulled out certain benefits from the results.
This process helped everyone, including Trump, to clarify what Putin actually thinks: He is not willing to stop the war at this stage. And the Europeans have further shown it that now is mainly on them to continue to support Ukraine. They do not believe that the Trump administration will suspend US weapons exports until Europe or Ukraine pay for it, sources said.
“This is not my war,” Trump told reporters on Monday after talking to the path. “We got involved in something we shouldn’t have been involved.”
Trump doesn’t like the word “unconditional”
Trump is in a Sunday conversation with European leaders, including Macron, Merz, Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced that the State Secretary of Marca Kellogga and Special Envoy of Keith Kellogga on the negotiations expected in the Vatican.
On Monday, he, according to one of the people I have been learning with the conversation, the Trump acted indecisively regarding the American role. Some of the Europeans insisted that the outcome of any talks in the Vatican must be an unconditional ceasefire. But Trump again hesitated, saying that he did not like the term “unconditional”.
He said he had never used that expression, even though he used him 8. May when Truth Social was called on a 30-day interruption of fire. Europeans eventually agreed to give up on that expression.
European diplomatic offensive reinforced by arrival of Merz
European diplomatic offensive focuses that Trump executes the pressure on Russia, when Merz, conservative German chancellor, entered his duty at the beginning of May. Merz was much more willing to face the path from his predecessor left orientation of Olaf Scholz.
More importantly, Merzo Coalition helped amend the German constitution to allow the state to provide significantly greater flexibility in borrowing for military consumption and the help of Ukraine. On 10. Maja Merz, Macron, Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk unclaimed Zelenia in Kiev. They pressed him to agree to what Trump wanted, to reveal Putin’s unwillingness to end the war.
Then, from Macron’s phone, he called Trump from the official residence of Zellenic, saying that Europe and Ukraine completely stale behind his call to the 30-day end fire. Europeans have publicly threatened new sanctions against Putin if he does not accept the ceasefire.
Putin replied to the proposal of negotiations, but without results
Putin responded to the replying pressure from Europe and Washington by a proposal for the first direct negotiations with Ukraine in three years. Trump accepted that offer, even suggested that he could go to Turkey and personally join the conversations.
The meeting was held in Istanbul within a few days, but Putin did not participate. He sent representatives of the lower rank that repeated the requests that Ukraine is considered unacceptable. Once Putin did not appear, Europeans called again Trump to consider a stronger pressure on the Russian leader.
They approved moderate new sanctions against Russia, but they still work on a stronger package of measures. Trump announced that he agreed a new conversation with the path, saying that the chances of peace could improve only if the American and Russian leader talked directly.
Possible sanctions on energy and banks
When Trump talked on Sunday with European leaders before talking to Putin, he hinted to now approach Europe in the sanction of Russian energy exports and banking transactions. Senator Lindsey Graham, close to Trump ally, said on Wednesday that he collected 81 signature support for the law that would significantly tighten energy and other sanctions against Moscow.
This Sunday call included some of the Trump characteristic informal statements, a combination of praise and criticism in European leaders. He praised Merz because of his good English. “I like it more with your German accent,” Trump said, toward a person present in the call.
“You can’t insult our countries, Donald”
At one point, he turned off his topic and criticized European migration policies severely. Trump said that uncontrolled migration leads their countries to the “edge of the collapse”. Macron, who has the longest political relationship with Trump, asked him to stop.
“You can’t insult our countries, Donald,” Macron said, towards the same person.
However, the tone was generally positive, they said referred to the conversation. Some have gained the impression that Trump could truly support new sanctions if Putin does not agree to the ceasefire. But those hopes were scattered a day later. Talks are expected to start in the Vatican in mid-June.
(Vijesti.ba)
