**US President Trump Reveals Putin’s True Intentions in Private Call**
In a shocking revelation, US President Donald Trump has privately acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not willing to end the war in Ukraine because he believes he is winning. This admission was made during a private call with European leaders on May 21, according to three people familiar with the conversation.
This statement diverges from Trump’s previous public statements, which claimed that Putin wanted peace. The news comes as Trump has been pushing for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The next round of talks is expected to take place at the Vatican in mid-June, although it remains unclear whether the US will participate.
**A Shift in Tone**
Trump’s admission was made after a two-hour phone call with Putin on May 19. Despite his earlier proposal to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Keith Kellogg to facilitate negotiations, Trump appeared noncommittal about US involvement in the talks. The White House declined to comment on the call.
However, Trump took to social media to claim that the tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent, saying “If it wasn’t, I would say so now.” This statement seems to downplay the significance of his private admission about Putin’s intentions.
**Sanctions and Vatican Talks**
Despite European pressure to take a tougher stance against Russia, Trump resisted calls for sanctions. In fact, he reversed his earlier proposal to impose sanctions on Russian energy exports and banking operations after speaking with Putin. Instead, he expressed interest in initiating lower-level talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican.
European leaders who joined Monday’s call included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Some EU officials demanded an unconditional cease-fire as a precondition for the proposed talks, but Trump objected to the term, saying he didn’t like it.
**A New Era of Diplomacy?**
Trump’s comments have sparked debate about his approach to diplomacy. While some see his efforts to broker peace talks between Ukraine and Russia as a positive development, others are concerned that his willingness to engage with Putin may compromise US interests.
“This isn’t my war,” Trump said in a statement, implying that the US should not be involved in the conflict. However, critics argue that this stance undermines the US’s responsibility to support its allies and uphold international law.
As the next round of talks approaches, it remains to be seen how Trump’s approach will shape the outcome. One thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the world is watching with bated breath.
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