Background on Key Figures
The United States is currently led by President Donald Trump, who has pledged to swiftly end the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. Trump has repeatedly called for a ceasefire following years of Western support for arming Ukraine alongside other countries.
JD Vance, the Vice President, recently stated that Washington might withdraw from peace efforts and conclude that “this is not our war.” His comments come as Trump seeks to end the conflict.
Recent Developments and Negotiations
Under pressure from Trump, representatives from the conflicting parties met in Istanbul last week for the first time since 2022. This gathering followed Putin’s proposal for direct talks and the European demand for an immediate ceasefire. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy spoke with Trump on Sunday before his call with Putin.
According to a White House official, the phone conversation between Trump and Putin was ongoing, as confirmed by the Kremlin. Putin was speaking from Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi while Trump remained in Washington.
Vice President’s Stance
Prior to the call, Vice President JD Vance told reporters that Washington acknowledges the waiting period to end the war. If Moscow is unwilling to compromise, eventually Washington will declare that it’s not their war.
“I genuinely believe that President Putin does not know very well how to get out of the war,” Vance stated, adding that he had just spoken with Trump.
“It takes two to tango. I know that President Trump is willing, but if Russia isn’t, we’ll just say in the end that this is not our war,” Vance explained as he prepared to depart from Italy.
“We will try to bring it to an end, but if we can’t, eventually we’ll say, ‘You know what? It was worth a shot, but we’re not going any further,’” he added.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures involved? President Donald Trump of the United States and Russian President Vladimir Putin are central to these discussions.
- What is the main topic of discussion? The primary focus is on ending the war in Ukraine through a ceasefire agreement.
- What is Vice President JD Vance’s stance? Vance believes that if Russia is unwilling to compromise, the United States will eventually declare that it’s not their war.
- What recent developments have led to this call? Pressure from Trump and a proposed meeting in Istanbul prompted the conversation between the two leaders.
