According to the US president Donald Trumpsupposedly would be the time he would speak directly to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on whether he would finish his war on Ukraine or otherwise it would be confronted with consequences, such as further sanctions. But In his two -hour telephone contact with Putin On May 19, Trump did not give an ultimatum, but on the contrary, he spoke of further peace talks.

But as The Economist notes in his analysis, all this favors Russia. As his forces advance, Putin insists that an agreement on the terms of a peacekeeping settlement must be reached before a truce. Ukraine, backed by European leaders, wants immediate and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days to follow talks on permanent settlement of the war.

But Trump seems to take a different attitude. The US president welcomed the “excellent” conversations and told social media that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and, most importantly, to end war.”. Putin seemed satisfied. ‘We’re generally on the right track’noted, saying that Russia is ready to work on a ‘Memorandum for a possible future peace treaty that will determine a number of positions’. These seem to include the requirement of Ukraine to deliver the territories that Moscow still holds in four areas that has invaded and annexed – something that the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski has rejected.

“If the Russians are not ready to stop the murders, there must be stricter sanctions. Pressure in Russia will push her to real peace »said Zelenski via a post on X, in a reflection that reflects his attempt to recover Trump’s favor after their intense argument at the Oval Office in February. The two men were embraced at St. Peter’s Basilica during the funeral of Pope Francis last month. Ukraine also signed with the US agreement on minerals, agreed to cease fire and participated in the first direct talks with Russia for almost three years. European leaders are committed to continuing to help Ukraine. ‘Europe will increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions »insisted the German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz.

In recent weeks, Trump has begun to wonder if Putin manipulates him. At the moment, however, he avoids becoming harsh against the Russian president. Trump has three options right now: to double his “flirtation” with Putin, to withdraw his interest in settlement of the conflict or become hostile to the Russian president.

When direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Constantinople last week failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire, Trump said that only his personal encounter with Putin could solve the deadlock. The phone call with Putin, however, seems to have made no progress. Trump can still decide that he must be found with Putin to make progress.

Trump may end up looking weak and stupid. Endless talks give Russia time to make more profits on the battlefield. A little note of optimism is that Trump did not repeat his most unpleasant criticism of Ukraine: that it is to blame for the war and that it “does not have the papers” to continue to fight.

However, a growing concern in the US government is that fruitless diplomacy will turn the “Joe Biden War” into “Donald Trump’s failure”. In this climate, some are talking about a complete abandonment of mediation effort. ‘We are more than open to retiring’said Vice President Jay Di Vance, leaving Rome after talking with Pope Leo ID.

Trump implied that America’s role would be more distant, letting the two sides talk to each other, perhaps with the Vatican’s hospitality, as the new Pope suggested.

However, departure from mediation could have a perverted result: helping Russia by depriving Ukraine the last remnant of US diplomatic support. Zelensi argues that it is “vital” for America and the European allies to remain committed to Ukraine’s support. In the meantime, Ukraine allies believe that it has long been the time for Trump to choose the third option: to increase political, economic and military pressure on Putin until he agrees on a ceasefire.

A 500% duty bill on countries buying Russian oil is being prepared in Congress. The 17th EU Packagewhich was approved today, will not be as hard. But it imposes sanctions on more Russian officials and ships of the “shadow fleet” that transports its oil around the world.

Frustrated by Putin, but reluctant to get away from him, Trump chooses to avoid a decision. This can be enough for Russia. Putin may estimate that Russia can withstand financial pain from further sanctions. He also knows that few in America can do the only thing that could really change his calculation: to repeat the US military support of tens of billion dollars annually at a time of cuts in spending across the federal government.

According to Vance’s view, Putin ‘He doesn’t know exactly how to get out of war’. But all signs show that Putin wants to continue the war. During Constantinople’s talks, Russian delegation, Vladimir Mentinsky, told Ukrainian officials: “We are ready to fight for a year, two, three -no matter how long it takes” and added: “We have fought Sweden for 21 years. How long have you been ready to fight? “. For the time being, however, the two sides are discussing a more immediate goal: the exchange of up to 1,000 prisoners on each side.

On May 19, Putin said: “The main thing for us is to eliminate the main causes of this crisis”. In the Kremlin language, this means that Ukraine should be weak, neutral, except NATO and deprived of Western military support. In other words, Putin wants Ukraine capitulation, either on the battlefield or on the negotiating table.

The inhabitants of King outside Kiev got a taste a few hours before the Trump-Putin phone call. The city, where a major air base is attacked by dozens of drones during the night. At least one of them struck a weapons warehouse, causing a huge explosion.

“It was the strongest, the most frightening night since the beginning of the war”Nadia Piden said. Her neighbor, 27 -year -old Anna Efimenko, was less lucky as she died while protecting her four -year -old son, who is now fighting for his life in the hospital.

Trump rightly calls the war “blood bath”. But he seems not to realize the reality that trying to welcome Putin will not stop him.