US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to launch immediate peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
The decision follows a 90-minute phone call between the two leaders, during which they discussed their nations’ futures and the urgent need to halt the bloodshed.
Trump announced the development on his Truth Social account, emphasizing the importance of working together. “We both agreed we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine,” he wrote, adding that Putin even referenced his campaign motto, “COMMON SENSE.”
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However, the talks are moving forward without direct involvement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising concerns that Ukraine may be pressured into making significant concessions to achieve peace.
Shift in U.S. Policy Sparks Debate
The announcement comes amid a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the war. New U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Ukrainian NATO membership is off the table in any peace agreement. He also stated it was “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine to regain its pre-2014 borders when Russia annexed Crimea.
Speaking at a NATO summit in Brussels, Hegseth made it clear that U.S. troops would not be deployed to Ukraine to enforce any peace deal. “That responsibility should fall on European nations,” he said, stressing that prolonging the war in pursuit of “illusionary goals” would only lead to further suffering.
International Reactions and Uncertain Future
While Washington shifts its stance, UK Defense Secretary John Healey reaffirmed Britain’s position that Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. “We have always been clear on this,” he said, signalling potential tensions between Western allies on the path forward.
As the world watches, the success of these newly announced peace talks remains uncertain. With Zelenskyy yet to be included, and NATO allies divided on Ukraine’s future, the road to peace may prove just as complex as the war itself.
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