NYT Learns What Trump Said to Zelensky After Calling Putin

US President Donald Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders that Russia and Ukraine would have to find a way out of the military conflict on their own, The New York Times reports, citing six sources.

Trump spoke with them after a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, the publication clarifies.

According to the sources, the Republican has "abandoned his own threats" to join European countries in pressuring Russia, which includes tightening sanctions. European officials believe they should not expect Washington to decide to impose new financial restrictions on Moscow any time soon. This approach (unless Trump changes his position again) indicates not only the end of American pressure, but also the emergence of a split within NATO, the NYT writes.

The day before, on May 20, the European Union and Great Britain announced new measures against Russia . Trump, although he has repeatedly warned of his readiness to tighten sanctions , has not yet joined them, noting that there is still a chance for a settlement between Moscow and Kiev. At the same time, the Republican did not rule out that "the time will come when this [the introduction of new sanctions] will happen."

According to the publication, Trump's calls to Zelensky and European leaders indicate that the time when the US made diplomatic efforts, supplied weapons to Ukraine and put economic pressure on Russia is "quickly coming to an end."

The Financial Times reported the day before that European leaders who spoke with Trump after his call with Putin were "stunned" by the Republican's description of the agreements reached. According to Axios, the American leader told them about the Russian president's agreement to immediately begin direct talks on a ceasefire, after which "there were several seconds of puzzled silence." Zelensky then indicated that the first round of talks took place in Istanbul on May 16. Trump did not give a direct answer to this, the newspaper writes.

After talking with Trump, Putin said that his interlocutor presented his position on the issues of ending hostilities and a truce. Russia, according to him, allows for the signing of a memorandum for a ceasefire, this is possible "if the relevant agreements are reached." Trump noted that the conversation with the Russian president was good and "there is certain progress."

The US warned back in mid-April that it could withdraw from the settlement process if it did not see progress in the coming days. Trump said the day before that he had a red line after which he was ready to end his mediation, but did not reveal what it was.

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