In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump expressed his desire to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, with the aim of reaching a peace agreement by the summer, reports Axios, citing a Ukrainian official and other sources familiar with the conversation.
According to the same sources, there are still major differences between Ukraine and Russia, especially over territorial control in the east of the country.
The half-hour phone conversation was the first contact between the two leaders after the meeting in Davos at the end of January. The conversation took place a day after the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion and on the eve of the meeting of US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with the Ukrainian negotiating team in Geneva. Kushner and Witkoff also participated in the conversation with Zelensky.
Three sources described the conversation as very friendly and positive. Zelenski thanked Trump for his help so far and emphasized that only he can influence Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war. Trump stated that the conflict is going on for too long and that he wants it to end as soon as possible, even within a month.
One of the topics was a possible meeting of the leaders of the USA, Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky previously stated that remaining differences over territorial issues could be bridged through direct talks between him, Trump and Putin.
Trump has also expressed a willingness to offer Ukraine significant US security guarantees as part of a potential peace deal. According to the plan, the meeting of the three leaders could be organized if the negotiations between the American, Russian and Ukrainian envoys in early March show progress.
(Vijesti.ba)
