In the conversations between Trump with Putin and Zelenski, separately, a 30-day ceasefire was not achieved, but the U.S. president said he had obtained the promise from his counterparts to start negotiations "immediately" for a ceasefire and the end of the war that has lasted over three years.
Although the U.S. president stated that Ukraine and Russia will immediately begin negotiations for the end of the war, the messages from the parties differ: Putin says they are "on the right track," and Zelenski hopes to know Russia's conditions for a ceasefire.
China supports direct dialogue to achieve a lasting and fair peace agreement and is willing to collaborate with the international community in the negotiations.
The continuation of the process could take place in the Vatican, which has offered to host that dialogue, although, according to Zelenski, Switzerland or Turkey could also serve as meeting points.
The Foreign and Defense Ministers of the European Union address the situation in Ukraine and approve the seventeenth package of sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine Laments "No Change in Status Quo" after Trump-Putin Conversation
Ukraine lamented on Tuesday that after the phone call on Monday between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, "the status quo has not changed," adding that Russia continues to refuse to accept a ceasefire, the "only realistic way" to end the war, Efe reports.
"Unfortunately, after the phone call between Trump and Putin, the status quo has not changed," wrote X Mijailo Podoliak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, while adding that Kiev "continues to offer the only realistic way to end the war: through an immediate, unconditional, comprehensive, long-term, and binding ceasefire."
He stated that "Europe fully supports Ukraine in this, with a clear understanding of all the risks posed by both the war itself and its prolonged consequences."
He added that "the United States remains a global mediator, still assuming that Russia is capable of negotiating and willing to end the war for commercial or strategic interests."
"And then there is Russia's unchanging position: it continues to seek war, destruction, and killing, believing these are the only means to preserve its current state," he denounced.
He added that "there is a Russia that is not willing - and categorically refuses - to accept a ceasefire."
Furthermore, "there is also that obsessive search for the so-called 'root causes of the war,' although the only real cause is Russia's unprovoked aggression," he pointed out.
China Offers to Collaborate in Direct Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia
China expressed on Tuesday its support for direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine as a way to achieve a lasting and fair peace agreement, stating its willingness to collaborate with the international community in the negotiations, provided they have the consensus of the parties involved, Efe reports.
"China supports all efforts conducive to peace," said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning when asked about the phone conversations held between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenski.
"We support direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine and a political solution to the crisis," Mao added, reiterating his country's desire for all parties to reach a "fair, lasting, and binding" agreement.
Regarding the possibility of China participating in the negotiations being prepared by Moscow and Kiev, the spokesperson indicated that Beijing is willing, "based on the will of the parties," to collaborate with the international community and continue to play "a constructive role" in resolving the crisis and achieving lasting peace.