US President Donald Trump announced his intention to immediately start negotiations with the head of the Kremlin Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. This happened after the US Minister of Defense Piet Hegset said that Kyiv could not achieve its goal of returning all territories occupied by Russia.
Announcement of negotiations caused a shock among the allies of Ukraine, especially in Europe, writes Politico. Some leaders expressed concern that the peace process is initiated without the direct participation of Kyiv, there is a threat of weakening European security, as well as the fact that Trump told Vladimir Zelensky to refuse to return the lands captured by Russia, the publication notes.
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US Minister of Defense.
The first official statement of Washington’s position was made from US Secretary of Defense, Piashe Highset during a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. He noted that Ukraine has no real chances of returning Crimea and eastern territories captured by Russia.
“The pursuit of this illusory goal will only tighten the war and entail more suffering,” said Hegset.
He also warned that the United States can reconsider its role in ensuring European security.
“America will no longer bear the main responsibility for European defense. European countries should independently take care of their own security, as well as the support of Ukraine, ”he added.
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Trump and Zelensky reaction.
Soon after, Donald Trump confirmed that he had a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin.
“I just had a long and very productive telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” he wrote on social networks. “We also agreed that our relevant teams will immediately start negotiations, and we will start by calling the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to inform him about the conversation. Millions of people died in a war that would not take place if I were president, but it happened, so it should end. No longer should be lost a single life!
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, in turn, summed up the results of his conversation with Trump in social networks.
" “No one wants peace again than Ukraine. Together with the United States, we plan our next steps to stop Russian aggression and provide a long, reliable world. As President Trump said, let's do it "
European leaders: negotiations cannot be held without Ukraine.
The announcement of negotiations between Trump and Putin caused a sharp reaction in Europe. Diplomats expressed concern that the initiative is developed without the active participation of Kyiv.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbok emphasized that any decision in Ukraine should be made with its participation.
“We always emphasized that there will be no decision in Ukraine without Ukraine. Peace can only be achieved together. And this means: with Ukraine and Europeans, ”said Berlock.
She was supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Bayba Brazh:.
“The participation of Ukraine in any peace negotiations is extremely important,” she said in a commentary for Politico.
Foreign Minister of Poland, Radoslav Sikorsky, urged to increase military assistance to Ukraine before negotiations with Russia.
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France also dispersed in positions with Washington, noting that Ukraine should remain in the way of membership in NATO.
“We are very attached to the path of Ukraine in NATO. If there is a world, we need security guarantees for it to be fair and long, ”said Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barro.
British Defense Minister John Khili, commenting on the statements of the Hegset, noted the importance of continuing support for Ukraine.
“We hear you,” he said. “As for strengthening the support of Ukraine, we do this and will do it. As for the strengthening of European security, we do this and will do it "
Washington's further steps.
Donald Trump announced that his negotiation group will be headed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA director John Ratcliffe and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
“I believe that these efforts will lead to a successful conclusion, I hope soon! "
Alexander Merezhko, head of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, criticized the statements of the US Minister of Defense.
“The new Minister of Security should just start with arriving in Ukraine and getting to know the Ukrainian armed forces,” Merezhko said. Ukraine can return all its territory, it is absolutely real.
But this requires more military-technical assistance from the United States and stronger sanctions-in particular, US financial sanctions against the Russian economy "
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Trump is confident in his “greatness”, prepares radical changes in the American government, promises to restore order in global policy and end the war in Ukraine for six months.
Whether he will be able to convince the world that the \?
Look for answers in the article " At what cost he can end the war in Ukraine? "