Ukraine: The Latest Putin tells Trump: ‘We’re on right track to ending war’
May 19, 2025
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former Minister of Foreign Affairs and a key player in the Ukraine conflict, shares insights on the recent phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump. He discusses the strategic implications of their dialogue amid stalled peace talks. The conversation reveals skepticism around diplomacy with Russia and highlights the severe escalation in attacks on Ukraine. Landsbergis also emphasizes the urgency for Europe to bolster its military options and navigate complex political dynamics in response to rising tensions.
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Putin Playing Trump Strategically
- Putin is strategically engaging Trump through prolonged talks without concrete progress to keep influence over US decisions.
- Trump's approach of insisting on direct talks with Putin risks sidelining Ukraine's sovereignty and agency in peace negotiations.
Russia's Intensified Drone Assault
- Russia increased drone attacks significantly as part of a strategy to enhance UAV capabilities for faster and more effective assaults.
- The drone strike on a civilian bus in Sumy was widely condemned as a deliberate war crime targeting civilians.
Putin's Unyielding War Aims
- Putin rejects ceasefire calls and aims to eliminate crisis causes by undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and military.
- The invasion's stated justifications mask underlying imperialist ambitions seeking territorial control.