In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "lengthy and highly productive" phone conversation, leading to an agreement to begin immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, signals a shift in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing direct talks over continued military support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that he had spoken with Trump regarding the potential for a "lasting, reliable peace." However, the exclusion of Ukraine from the initial stages of negotiations has raised concerns among European allies, who insist on being part of any discussions affecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.

U.S. and European Reactions

Following Trump’s announcement, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the effort to negotiate peace was "certainly not a betrayal" of Ukrainian forces and suggested Trump was uniquely positioned to bring both sides together. However, he also confirmed that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was unlikely, a stance that has disappointed Kyiv and several European nations.

On Thursday, NATO defense ministers convened in Brussels to address the unfolding situation. British Defense Secretary John Healey reaffirmed that "there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine," while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that Europe must play a central role in any peace talks.

Putin Extends Invitation, Trump Plans Meeting in Saudi Arabia

The 90-minute call between Trump and Putin resulted in mutual invitations to visit each other’s capitals. Trump later told reporters at the White House that they would "meet in Saudi Arabia," though no official date has been set.

The Kremlin confirmed Putin’s willingness to support Trump’s diplomatic efforts, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that "the time has come to work together." Putin’s endorsement of Trump’s initiative stands in stark contrast to previous years of tense U.S.-Russia relations.

Concerns Over Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity

One of the key issues surrounding the negotiations is the question of Ukraine’s borders. Trump suggested that Ukraine was unlikely to regain all its pre-2014 territory but hinted that "some of that land will come back." This statement has sparked worries in Kyiv, where Zelensky and Ukrainian lawmakers remain firm in their stance against territorial concessions.

Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik expressed concern over Trump’s engagement with Putin, warning that ending Putin’s international isolation could create the illusion that he is negotiating in good faith. "How do we know that Putin really wants peace and will honor any agreement?" she asked.

Despite these concerns, Trump has insisted that his administration is taking steps toward de-escalation. "It is time to stop this ridiculous war, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, death and destruction. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!" he wrote on social media.

As tensions rise and diplomatic efforts unfold, European leaders continue to push for greater involvement in the negotiations, while Ukraine remains determined to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The road to a "just peace" remains uncertain, and the coming weeks may prove pivotal in determining the course of the conflict.