US President Donald Trump, during a conversation with European leaders on May 19, said that the Russian president is not prepared to end the war against Ukraine because he believes he is winning. However, this still has not led Trump to impose additional sanctions targeting Russia. Furthermore, the American leader will no longer require of Russia that the ceasefire be unconditional.
Yet, Polish Prime Minister Tusk has not validated Trump’s statement regarding Putin’s unwillingness to end the war but conceded that the situation is very difficult.
Further negotiations to end the war are scheduled to take place in the Vatican, although the newly elected Pope has not yet issued any official statement on this matter. The next meeting could take place as early as next week, with another possible date being mid-June. However, analysts suggest that the Vatican’s mediation of peace initiatives will encounter significant difficulties, particularly due to substantial differences between the parties’ positions and EU sanctions.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by Ukraine and its allies, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed skepticism about the prospect of ending the war soon. “There are currently no signs that this war will end quickly,” Merz stated, adding that the current situation, including Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine, causes him “some concern.”