Amid rising tensions, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding a crucial phone call following Trump’s recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. With Ukraine war negotiations at the forefront, Zelenskyy aims to secure continued U.S. military aid and intelligence support while ensuring no compromises are made at Ukraine’s expense.
Zelenskyy and Trump Begin Key Conversation
Zelenskyy is now speaking with Trump to discuss the details of his call with Putin. According to Ukrainian officials, Zelenskyy wants the U.S. to oversee a 30-day halt on attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a commitment supposedly made during the Trump-Putin talks.
A spokesperson for Zelenskyy confirmed the call, emphasizing its significance in shaping Ukraine’s next steps in the conflict. The Ukrainian leader is expected to reaffirm his stance against Russian territorial claims and stress that Moscow cannot be trusted to uphold any agreements.
Ukraine’s Concerns Over Military Aid
Ukraine remains focused on securing ongoing military aid and intelligence sharing from the U.S. Zelenskyy has consistently warned against any diplomatic concessions that could weaken Ukraine’s position. He has also reiterated that Ukraine will not recognize occupied territories as part of Russia, a red line that Kyiv refuses to cross.
While Trump has expressed a desire for peace talks, Ukrainian officials worry that Moscow may be using negotiations as a strategy to weaken international support for Ukraine.
Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and Ukraine
In a separate development, both Ukraine and Russia confirmed a large-scale prisoner exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Ukraine regained 175 soldiers, while Russia received 175 troops and 22 seriously wounded prisoners in need of urgent medical assistance.
This marks one of the largest prisoner swaps in recent months, highlighting ongoing diplomatic negotiations despite continued fighting on the battlefield.
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French Concerns Over Russian Strikes
France has condemned overnight Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, stating that they contradict Moscow’s promises during the Trump-Putin call. The French Foreign Ministry pointed out that Russia’s words do not align with its actions, as some of the latest strikes targeted civilian areas.
This raises concerns over the effectiveness of any ceasefire agreements Russia commits to in international discussions.
Putin’s Claims and Ukraine’s Response
Meanwhile, Putin has declared that Russian forces are nearing victory in western Ukraine’s Kursk region. However, Ukraine denies these claims, stating that its forces are holding their positions and have not been surrounded or forced to retreat.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also accused Ukraine of trying to undermine the Trump-Putin agreement by launching an attack on an oil depot in southern Russia. Kyiv has not responded to this accusation.
Finland’s Position on the Ceasefire Proposal
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has called for Russia’s unconditional acceptance of a ceasefire, as proposed during Trump’s diplomatic efforts. Speaking in Helsinki alongside Zelenskyy, Stubb emphasized that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent Russia from dictating terms.
With the Trump-Zelenskyy conversation underway, all eyes are on Washington and Kyiv to see how the U.S. will shape its support for Ukraine in the coming weeks.
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