European leaders were 'stunned': FT on how Trump leaves Ukraine face to face with Russia in negotiations.

Ceasefire negotiations

After telephone conversations with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine would 'immediately' begin negotiations for a ceasefire. At the same Time, the American president made it clear that he is leaving the parties to negotiate without U.S. mediation.

According to the Financial Times, two individuals informed about the conversation with European leaders said that Trump unequivocally stated his intention to distance the U.S. from involvement in the conflict. He also did not promise future sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects peaceful attempts. One of the publication's sources noted that the leaders were 'stunned' by the description of the agreements. According to him, it became clear that Trump was 'not ready to exert more pressure' on Putin to seriously start negotiations.

Putin expressed himself much more cautiously, saying that he is 'ready to work' with Kyiv on a memorandum for future negotiations that could include a possible ceasefire 'for a certain period'. Zelensky, in his statement, urged Trump 'not to distance himself' from efforts to ensure peace, emphasizing Ukraine's readiness for direct negotiations with Russia 'in any format that yields results.'

Trump proposed a new mediator – the Vatican, stating that the Pope is 'very interested' in conducting negotiations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that all participants in the conversation 'confirmed their readiness to closely support Ukraine on its path to a ceasefire'. However, according to FT sources, European leaders were stunned that the U.S. president clearly expressed his intention to distance himself from the conflict.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin's advisor on foreign policy, told reporters that the conversation took place in a tone of 'mutual respect', and Trump expressed support for normalizing relations between Washington and Moscow. According to him, the American president 'spoke quite passionately about the prospects of these relations.'

Analyzing the events, it can be understood that during the negotiations, Trump revealed his position in resolving the conflict without planning U.S. intervention. However, relations between Russia and Ukraine remain tense, and Zelensky expressed hope for support in efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.