FT: Diplomats see Putin-Trump talk as major victory for Russia

European officials consider the telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump a major victory for Russia, the Financial Times reports , citing sources.

According to the publication, for several months, European leaders feared that Trump would “abandon Ukraine to its fate.” These fears became more real after May 19, as the American leader made it clear that he was no longer trying to mediate an agreement or put pressure on Russia.

"He's stepping aside," said an unnamed senior European diplomat.

On May 19, Putin and Trump held their third telephone conversation since January 2025. Following the conversation, the Russian president said that Russia is in favor of a peaceful settlement in Ukraine and that the parties must determine the most effective paths to peace. Moscow will offer to work with Kiev on a memorandum on a possible future peace treaty. The principles of settlement and the terms of the peace agreement must be determined. Putin also allowed for a temporary ceasefire.

After speaking with the Russian leader, Trump said he had his own "red line" regarding efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but he would not talk about it because it could negatively affect the negotiation process. He added that the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions would only complicate the process of resolving the conflict.