The EC called the conversation between Trump and Putin the beginning of a settlement in Ukraine

The telephone talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US leader Donald Trump on 12 February marked the beginning of the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. This was stated by the official representative of the European Commission (EC), Paula Pinho.

According to her, the European Union (EU) did not receive any prior notifications about the conversation between the Russian and American leaders.

"It is important to note that this is the beginning of a process. Yesterday's call between President Putin and President Trump marks the beginning of the process," she said at a press conference in Brussels on February 13.

Pinho added that Europe insists on Ukraine's own participation in any peace talks.

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

Putin held a phone conversation with Trump the previous day, February 12. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders discussed many topics, including the exchange of Russian and US citizens, the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and the situation in the Middle East. The presidents shared the view that long-term peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through peaceful negotiations.

Trump, in turn, shared that he is united with Putin in the opinion that Washington and Moscow will be able to benefit greatly from working together. The American leader also said that he plans to meet with the Russian President in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to that, on 11 February, the US president said that as a result of the White House administration's close contacts with Moscow and Kiev over the past week, significant progress had been made in the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.