US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Reuters reported, citing the American publication “Axios“, BTA reported.
The conversation took place a day after Trump spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and then said he was disappointed with him and promised to speak on the phone with Zelensky as well.
Yesterday, Trump and Putin discussed the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. Regarding Ukraine, Putin told Trump that Moscow would not back down from its goals in Ukraine, but added that he remained interested in resolving the conflict through negotiations. Putin told Trump that Russia was ready to continue negotiations, but that Moscow remained focused on eliminating what he called the "root causes of the conflict," Reuters reported. Speaking of negotiations, the Russian leader was referring to the negotiation process that began in Istanbul. Two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine were held there, Agence France-Presse reported.
Agence France-Presse reported yesterday that Moscow, in particular, wants Ukraine to cede four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, in addition to annexed Crimea, and to abandon NATO membership. But Kiev says these are unacceptable conditions for it, Agence France-Presse reported.
The Kremlin said today that Russia is closely monitoring all statements by US President Donald Trump after he said he was "very disappointed" from his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, Reuters reported.
Trump said after his call with Putin that he did not believe the Russian president wanted to end the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin had told Trump that Russia expected to agree to a third round of peace talks with Ukraine. The first two rounds were held in May and June, respectively.
The Kremlin also said that it was currently not possible to achieve its goals in Ukraine through diplomacy.
"We prefer to do it through diplomatic means. However, that does not seem possible and we are continuing the special military operation," Dmitry Peskov said at his daily briefing.