Trump tells Zelenskyy Ukraine and Russia must figure out war themselves — NYT
Photo: Donald Trump, 47th President of the United States of America (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, after talks with Vladimir Putin, told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders that Kyiv and Moscow must find a way out of the war on their own, The New York Times reports.
"Trump told Zelenskiy and other European leaders after his phone call with Putin that Russia and Ukraine must find a solution to the war on their own, just days after saying that only he and Putin had the authority to make a deal," the NYT writes.
According to the unnamed officials, Trump also backed away from his threats to join a European pressure campaign that would have included new sanctions against Russia.
The NYT adds that unless Trump decides to change course again, the talks with Putin and Zelensky will leave the Russian dictator with what he wanted: an end to American pressure and a deep rift within NATO between the United States and Europe.
The disagreements between the United States and Europe, according to the publication, may reach a climax during the summer summits of the G7 and NATO. During the latter, the parties will discuss long-term support for Ukraine and steps to deter Russian troops.
Trump's call to Putin and Zelenskyy
On May 19, Trump called Putin and Zelenskyy. Trump spoke with the Ukrainian President twice: first, before calling Putin.
After the talks, the US President said that Russia and Ukraine should sit down at the negotiating table to end the hostilities and bring the armed conflict to an end.
Meanwhile, the media reported that during the second call to Zelenskyy, some European leaders joined the conversation.
Read more about Trump's conversation with Putin in RBC-Ukraine's report.
