Ice shower for Ukraine and shock of the Europeans. What the media write about the conversation between Putin and Trump

The foreign press called the telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin the first real step toward a speedy peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. How Europe and Kiev reacted to the start of peace talks and the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine soon - in Izvestia's digest

Financial Times: Trump deliberately called Putin before contacting Zelensky

Wednesday's phone call between the two leaders marked a sharp turnaround in relations between the US and Russia amid signs that Washington will scale back its support for Ukraine after nearly three years of war. Donald Trump told reporters that he and Putin would meet in Saudi Arabia.

Trump's statement confirmed fears in Kiev and Europe that the US would not engage the EU in talks on Ukraine's future and would take a conciliatory stance toward Moscow. In a statement, six European countries, including Germany, France and the UK, said they were ready to step up support for Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier on Wednesday ruled out Ukraine's NATO membership and added that "capable European and non-European troops" should be stationed in post-conflict Ukraine, which would not be subject to NATO's mutual defense clause.

BBC News: conversation between Trump and Putin lowers the degree of tension, but to the detriment of Ukraine

The news that the leaders of Russia and the US held a constructive and cordial 90-minute phone conversation is, on the face of it, a welcome step towards peace, but the move may come at the expense of Ukraine. The words of Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, that Ukraine's return to its 2014 borders was unrealistic and the likelihood of it joining NATO was an ice shower for many in Ukraine and a blow to some of Kiev's closest NATO supporters who wanted to keep pressure on Moscow in the hope of draining its weakening economy.

Trump believes that this conflict is Europe's problem and it is up to Europe to solve it. He has other priorities - securing America's southern border or focusing on trade, tariffs, China and the Pacific. Details of U.S. proposals for peace are likely to emerge at the Munich conference this weekend.

Sense of contact: Putin and Trump agree on diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis

In an hour and a half, they also discussed prisoner exchanges, the situation in the Middle East and the Iran nuclear deal

The New York Times: Trump's conversation with Putin marked the collapse of Western attempts to isolate Russia

The conversation between the two presidents came a day after Russia agreed to release a jailed American in exchange for a Russian. Trump's announcement to cooperate with Russia on a cease-fire came amid fears in Kiev that Putin and Trump would sideline Ukraine in any peace talks.

Putin spoke of "the need to address the root causes of the conflict" in a sign that the Russian president will not accept a simple ceasefire in Ukraine and will seek broader concessions from Ukraine and the West before he stops fighting. Trump echoed his defense secretary later Wednesday, telling reporters it was "unlikely" that Ukraine would return to its borders before 2014. The president added that he believes "some of it will come back" and also called Ukraine's future NATO membership impractical.

Wall Street Journal: China is trying to play the role of peacemaker in Ukraine

While President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signaled that they are ready to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, China is seeking to play a role. But the U.S. and Europe may be skeptical of Beijing's proposal, given its close ties to Moscow.

The summit is expected to take place without Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Beijing is also considering bringing in Chinese military personnel as peacekeepers. Chinese President Xi Jinping does not want help in ending the conflict to jeopardize China's close relations with Russia. The U.S. has not confirmed the offer from Beijing and has criticized it.

A call from a known number: will Putin and Trump's contacts become permanent

And whether they contribute to warming between the countries and finding a solution to the Ukrainian crisis

Politico: the suddenness and scope of Trump's peace plan shocked Europe

The United States has effectively ended its support for Ukraine, which is confronting Russia in the conflict, with Trump announcing immediate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urging Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to give up hope of regaining all land seized by Russia. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that "chasing this illusory goal will only prolong the war and bring more suffering."

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Ukraine needs more military support before negotiations can begin. France also disagrees with the US position, insisting that Ukraine should stay on the path to NATO membership. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, called Hegseth's comments "illogical" and said it was realistic to regain the territory: to do so "requires more military and technical assistance from the US and tougher sanctions."

Bloomberg: Trump reversed three years of U.S. policy

President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The phone call was the first publicly confirmed contact between the U.S. and Russian leaders and an indication that Trump intends to fulfill campaign promises and abandon former President Joe Biden's approach of avoiding direct contact between the U.S. and Russia.

Speaking to reporters later Wednesday, Trump said he planned to send more aid to Ukraine and dispelled concerns that he was weakening Kiev's negotiating position. After Putin, he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (powers expire in May 2024. -Ed.), who wrote on social media that "we are outlining our next steps." Trump also hit back at Zelensky, telling reporters that his "ratings are not particularly good" and he needs to hold an election soon.