In brief
Former President Trump shares insights on his discussion with Putin, hinting at fresh negotiations for peace.
In a recent phone call, former U.S. President Donald Trump described his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "highly productive," potentially signaling a new approach to ending the Ukraine conflict. This call marks a significant moment, as it suggests a waning of Western efforts to diplomatically isolate Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump later communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but details on how Ukraine's needs will be integrated into the discussions remain unclear.At a NATO meeting earlier, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's hopes for a peace agreement that would revert borders to pre-2014 conditions, stating Trump does not favor Ukraine's NATO membership as part of a feasible resolution. The focus also shifted to Ukraine's valuable mineral resources, with talks of a potential deal involving U.S. aid linked to these assets. Meanwhile, fierce battles continue in Ukraine as Russian soldiers report challenging conditions while trying to displace Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.
