Ukraine War | Doubts about Putin's willingness to negotiate
Doubts are growing about Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to peace. Following talks between US President Donald Trump and Putin , it's becoming apparent that Russia is not ready for an immediate ceasefire. The government in Moscow wants to first establish the conditions, then the guns will fall silent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees this as a mere delaying tactic: "It is obvious that Russia wants to buy time to continue its war and occupation," Zelenskyy wrote in online media on Tuesday. He also stated that Moscow is setting "unrealistic conditions" for a ceasefire.
Trump is optimisticTrump and Putin had a highly anticipated phone call on Monday about the war in Ukraine. Putin subsequently declared that Russia was ready to work with the Ukrainian government to draft a "memorandum" to prepare a "possible future peace agreement" between the two countries.
Nevertheless, US President Trump is spreading optimism and, after his phone call with Putin, expressed hope for an imminent ceasefire. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is "a bloodbath," Trump said, "and I believe he (Putin) wants to end it." Trump also promised immediate negotiations in the Vatican on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine—without providing any details.
Zelensky emphasized that he rejected possible Russian conditions for a ceasefire. The Kremlin has repeatedly emphasized that, in peace talks, it insists on a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the four regions only partially controlled by Russia: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson. "If Russia makes it a condition that our troops withdraw from our land, it means they don't want a ceasefire or an end to the war," Zelensky said in Kyiv. The constitutional function of the Ukrainian army is to protect its own territory. "No one will withdraw our troops from our territory."
Skepticism in EuropeSkepticism is also high in Germany. Several federal politicians have expressed strong doubts about Russia's willingness to negotiate. Putin remains unwilling to make concessions, said Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) in Brussels on Tuesday. CDU politician Armin Laschet accused the Kremlin of playing for time, while the Greens called it a "cynical negotiating game."
Following the phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's European supporters are increasing pressure on Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for "tough measures" against Russia, including from the US. Following the phone call between Putin and Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) wrote to X that Europe and America were "closed."
The EU member states implemented new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. The 17th package of punitive measures includes, among other things, further tightening measures against the so-called Russian shadow fleet for transporting oil and oil products, as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced following a decision at an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels.
In addition, dozens of other companies involved in circumventing existing sanctions or supporting the Russian arms industry are being targeted. "The longer Russia wages war, the harsher our response," Kallas commented on social media. Great Britain has also imposed new sanctions against Moscow. These include measures against companies that support the Russian military and information warfare, as well as against financial institutions and ships of the so-called shadow fleet, according to the British Foreign Office.
Kallas also pointed out that an 18th package of sanctions is already being planned. Among other things, it is intended to prevent the resumption of operation of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. A reduction in the price cap for Russian oil and further sanctions against the Russian financial sector are also planned.
Putin is "still unwilling to make concessions," Pistorius said. "Yesterday's conversation confirmed once again that statements are being made by the Russian side, but there is no evidence of declared intentions so far." With agencies
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