Trump's call to Putin and Zelenskyy could lead to real peace talks – Ukrainian Presidential Office
Photo: Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office (Vitaliy Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
A phone call from US President Donald Trump to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could ultimately pave the way for real peace negotiations, stated Mykhailo Podolyak, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in an interview with Rzeczpospolita.
Podolyak said he doesn’t believe the war will end immediately after a call from Trump to Putin and Zelenskyy. However, he noted that such a conversation could initiate a process that might eventually lead to genuine peace talks, unlike the previous meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Türkiye, which he described as an imitation of negotiations.
"Putin, sitting in the Kremlin, doesn’t want to make concessions to anyone and believes he is fully in control of the situation. He still thinks he has enough cannon fodder to achieve his military goals. Putin cannot be persuaded - he can only be forced into making certain decisions," Podolyak said.
According to him, the West is moving toward sanctions that could ultimately cripple Russia’s energy sector, nuclear industry, and banking system.
"But everything depends on whether the US follows this path. Right now, Europe is watching Washington and waiting for a clear position. I believe that’s one of the reasons Trump needs to make that phone call on Monday," he added.
Trump's call to Putin and Zelenskyy
On May 17, Trump announced phone talks with Putin and President Zelenskyy. The conversation with the Kremlin head will take place at 17:00 Kyiv time. After that, the White House will call the Ukrainian leader.
