After over three years of war in Ukraine, Kiev laments that following the conversation between Putin and Trump, "the status quo has not changed." Despite the two-hour phone call, a 30-day ceasefire was not achieved, but the U.S. president claimed to have secured a commitment from both leaders to immediately start negotiations for a truce and the end of the war.
The European Union has challenged Washington to "show those consequences" it warned Russia about if it did not agree to an unconditional ceasefire. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated, "We want to see those consequences from the United States." EU Foreign and Defense Ministers could approve the seventeenth package of sanctions against Russia today.
Although the U.S. president mentioned that Ukraine and Russia would immediately start negotiations, the messages from both sides differ: Putin says they are "on the right track," while Zelenski wants 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 the dialogue, although according to Zelenski, Switzerland or Turkey could also serve as meeting points.
Zelenski Accuses Russia of "Trying to Buy Time" to "Continue" with Its Invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski accused Russia on Tuesday of "trying to buy time" by prolonging the ceasefire talks in order to "continue" its invasion, as reported by Afp.
"It is evident that Russia is trying to buy time to continue its war and occupation," stated the Ukrainian president on his social media the day after a phone call with no tangible results between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pope Leon XIV Revives Vatican Diplomacy
"The people want peace, and I, with a sincere heart, say to the leaders of the people: let us meet, talk, negotiate!" were the words of Pope Leon XIV in one of his first speeches, which have continued with high-level meetings in an attempt to revive Vatican diplomacy to resolve conflicts, starting with the one in Ukraine, as reported by Efe.
"To extend this peace, I will do everything possible," he said on the same occasion - the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches - and added, "The Holy See is available for enemies to meet and look each other in the eyes, to restore to people the hope and dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace."
An offer from the Holy See as a negotiation table in a completely neutral state with no interest other than achieving peace, with experience in conflict resolution, although its influence has waned in recent years.
Leon XIV did not stop at words but presented the Vatican as a venue for negotiations in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski, with whom he spoke by phone shortly after his election on May 8 and also met after the start of his pontificate.
EU Calls for "Strong Action" from the US if Russia Does Not Accept Ceasefire in Ukraine
EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged the United States on Tuesday to take "strong action" if Russia does not accept an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
Washington "has already announced that if Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire, there would be consequences. Therefore, we want to see those consequences from the United States," stated Estonian Kallas upon arriving at a ministerial meeting in Brussels, as reported by Afp.
U.S. President Donald Trump had a lengthy phone conversation the day before with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, regarding the situation in Ukraine.
After learning details of the conversation between Trump and Putin, German government head Friedrich Merz noted that the EU should increase pressure on Russia by imposing sanctions.
On Tuesday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that from the conversation between Trump and Putin, it was clear that the Russian president "is not yet ready to make concessions."
According to Pistorius, Putin "is not really interested in peace" and is only willing to discuss "a ceasefire under conditions."
EU diplomats are already considering the implementation of a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Germany Believes Phone Call with Trump Showed Putin Was "Not Willing" to Make Concessions
The phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, showed that the latter "was not willing to make concessions" regarding Ukraine, stated German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday.
"He is still not willing to make concessions and only talks about a ceasefire on his terms," he said upon arriving in Brussels for a meeting of EU Defense Ministers.
Germany Believes Russia Is Only Buying Time in Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not genuinely interested in peace in Ukraine and is only buying time in talks with the United States, affirmed German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.
Pistorius stated before a meeting with EU Defense Ministers in Brussels that Europe needs to increase pressure on Russia by imposing more sanctions, especially on Russia's energy sales.
NATO Emphasizes Importance of US Involving EU and Ukraine in Talks with Russia
It is "very positive" that the U.S. administration is involved in the peace effort in Ukraine, but it is crucial that Europeans and Ukraine are also consulted, stated NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Tuesday before a meeting with European ministers in Brussels, as reported by Reuters.