Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Europe’s participation in Ukraine peace talks is needed eventually, but Moscow wants to build trust with Washington first. In a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Putin expressed that Trump was approaching the Russia-Ukraine conflict rationally and not emotionally, but hinted that it might not end as soon as Trump would like.
Putin stated that building trust between Moscow and Washington is key to resolving complex issues related to Ukraine. He said that once talks focus on reaching a settlement to the conflict, European partners will be logical for participation in the negotiating process. However, Putin emphasized that Russia has never rejected European involvement and held constant discussions with them.
The US President suggested that the war could end within weeks, but he did not elaborate. Trump’s comments on Ukraine were criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who said they were based on emotion. Putin dismissed these claims, saying that Trump is acting logically and free from constraints of promises made by European leaders.
In other news, Putin approved a suggestion to discuss deep cuts in military spending with the US, up to 50% reductions. He suggested that China could join later if it wishes. The President also stated that he values Trump’s straightforward approach to diplomacy and his ability to make decisions without being constrained by promises made by European leaders.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-open-europes-involvement-peace-talks-ukraine-2025-02-24