Donald Trump is speaking separately this afternoon with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. His intention is to progress towards the end of the war in Ukraine. At noon, U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the talks are currently at an impasse and hinted that Trump will ask Putin if he is truly "serious" about that possible path to end the war in Ukraine. He then suggested that if Putin does not cooperate, Washington could step back. "If Russia is not willing, in the end we will say this is not our war," Vance stated.
The face-to-face meeting last Friday in Istanbul did not yield more agreements than the exchange of a thousand prisoners on each side. In the following hours, Russia launched its largest drone attack. This Monday, the Kremlin spokesperson stated that the path to end the war in Ukraine could be "a lengthy process."
Trump-Putin Conversation Underway
The call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to address the war in Ukraine has begun, as reported by a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity to Afp.
Berlin Reminds Beijing of its "Responsibility in Global Peace" Regarding the Ukraine War
The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded China on Monday of its "responsibility in global peace" regarding the war in Ukraine, after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held his first telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, since taking office this month.
"Russia's war in Ukraine affects fundamental European interests. China has a responsibility to global peace," the German ministry stated in a message posted on its X social media account following the German minister's conversation with Yi.
Trump Invites Pope Leon XIV to Visit the White House
President Donald Trump has invited Pope Leon XIV to visit the White House in a letter delivered by his Vice President JD Vance to the first U.S.-born pontiff. The Vatican released a photo of the pope with Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both Catholics. "The Vice President delivered a letter from the President and the First Lady," stated White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. She specified that Trump hopes the visit will take place soon.
Vance and Rubio attended the pontificate's inaugural mass on Sunday in St. Peter's Square. Leon XIV, 69 years old, has emphasized peace and was expected to discuss with Vance and Rubio the role of the U.S. government in trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia Dims Prospects for a Face-to-Face Meeting Between Putin and Trump
Russia is currently not working on a hypothetical meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. This was stated by the Kremlin spokesperson, as reported by the Russian state news agency RIA and cited by Reuters.
Kremlin Anticipates the End of the War in Ukraine Could Be a "Lengthy Process"
The Kremlin declared on Monday that a challenging and potentially lengthy process lies ahead to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by Russian state media. This statement was made prior to the telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
"A very challenging task lies ahead, which in some areas may be a lengthy process," stated the Russian presidential spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, who added that reaching an agreement requires discussing "a large number of nuances."
Vance Suggests the U.S. May Step Back in its Effort to End the War in Ukraine: "It Takes Two to Tango"
In his address to journalists, U.S. Vice President JD Vance hinted that if Moscow is not willing to engage in talks to end the war in Ukraine, Washington may step back.
"It takes two to tango. I know the President is willing to do it, but if Russia is not, in the end we will say this is not our war. We will try to end it, but if we can't, in the end we will say: 'You know what? It was worth trying, but we won't do more,'" Vance's words were.