US President Donald Trump caused confusion during a conference call after his phone call with Putin. European politicians were “shocked“ by what they heard, Axios revealed, citing its sources.
The phone call between the US and Russian presidents on Monday remained without concrete results – and there are even fears that Donald Trump is losing interest in what is happening in Ukraine and may finally withdraw from the negotiations.
The American website Axios reports on a conference call after the phone call between Trump and Putin. It was attended by the US president, his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and representatives of Germany, France, Italy and Finland. Apparently, everyone was speechless for a few seconds.
A “puzzled silence” ensued for a few seconds. Trump announced to the others that Vladimir Putin had agreed during the phone call to immediately begin direct talks on a ceasefire. Several seconds of confused silence followed – until Zelensky pointed out to the US president that, first, this statement by the Russian leader was not new and, second, direct talks on a ceasefire had already taken place on Friday in Istanbul (without result).
Trump did not directly respond to this objection. He was then reportedly asked whether the US could impose additional sanctions on Russia. But he clearly doesn't think it's a good idea.
Reuters reported a "shocked" reaction from European politicians after the conference call, as Trump refused to pressure Putin with sanctions. The EU has already imposed its 17th round of sanctions against Russia, focused on its continued oil exports. Meanwhile, Moscow continues its aggressive war without a break.