Priyanka Tiwari
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US President Donald Trump has announced a significant step regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. He revealed that he had an extended phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders agreed to initiate talks to end the conflict. Trump emphasized that he and Putin would collaborate closely to achieve peace. This marks a major shift in US policy, as Washington has so far been openly supporting Ukraine.
Trump's Call with Zelensky: A "Good Conversation"
In addition to speaking with Putin, Trump also held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Litvin, the discussion was "good and positive," though he did not provide further details. Meanwhile, key US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump's special envoy for Russia-Ukraine affairs, General Keith Kellogg, will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany this week. Zelensky is also expected to participate, raising speculation that major discussions on the war could take place during the event.
US Changes Stance on Ukraine’s NATO Membership
At NATO headquarters in Brussels, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a significant announcement regarding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. He declared that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO are now "impractical" and that European nations will be responsible for providing security guarantees to Ukraine. This represents a major policy shift from the previous administration under Joe Biden, which supported Ukraine's NATO membership following Russia's invasion. This change may come as a setback for Ukraine, which has heavily relied on support from the US and NATO.
Prisoner Exchange Leads to Diplomatic Breakthrough
The discussions between Trump and Putin began after a prisoner exchange between Russia and the US. Russia agreed to release Pennsylvania teacher Mark Fogel in exchange for Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik, who was imprisoned in the US. Trump stated that this exchange played a crucial role in advancing diplomatic dialogue between the two nations. Following this, the groundwork was laid for broader talks on ending the war.
Europe to Shoulder Military and Financial Aid for Ukraine
The Trump administration has made it clear that European nations must take the lead in providing military and financial support to Ukraine. Defense Secretary Hegseth indicated that if a peacekeeping force is deployed, it will not include American troops. Furthermore, he emphasized that if such a force encounters Russian military action, it will not be protected under NATO’s Article 5. This policy shift signals a US strategy to distance itself from direct involvement in the conflict while urging European allies to take greater responsibility.
Read More: New Canadian PM Mark Carney Sends Strong Message to Trump: "We’ll Talk on Our Terms"
