US President Donald Trump has begun to show a softer attitude towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but has instead spoken harshly towards the Kremlin leader, the British edition of the Financial Times reports, citing sources in Trump's team.
According to the publication, during the NATO summit in Washington, an informal meeting took place between Trump and Zelensky. After it, Trump called the Ukrainian president “very nice” and the conversation “very pleasant.” He noted that the conversation lasted almost an hour and was devoted to the general situation in Ukraine.
At the same time, he denied that he had discussed the terms of a ceasefire with Zelensky, although he did not rule out that the issue of war was raised in a broader context. According to Trump, Zelensky has gone through "difficult times" and is now in a difficult situation.
Trump’s rhetoric toward Russia, however, has become noticeably tougher. In conversations with allies, he has begun to voice his frustration with Putin’s position, particularly his maximalist demands that block any chance of a ceasefire. Trump has said that Putin must “end the war because people are dying on a scale never seen before.”.
FT journalists note that Trump's team fears that the war in Ukraine is dragging on and could become a toxic factor in his campaign unless there is a clear signal of a desire for peace. That is why, analysts suggest, the president is gradually changing his position - balancing between criticizing Putin and being constructive in relations with Kiev.
