Message from Trump: Putin Bets on Victory – Not Peace

According to new information from The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump has seemingly shifted course in his assessment of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions in the Ukraine war.

In a confidential call to European leaders, Trump reportedly stated that Putin is not ready to end the war because he believes he is winning.

This marks a significant contrast to Trump’s previous public statements, where he has expressed that Putin desires peace.

Private Call Reveals New Perspective

The call, which sources say took place on Monday, followed immediately after a two-hour conversation between Trump and Putin.

According to three anonymous sources familiar with the conversation, Trump communicated subsequently with European leaders, asserting that “Putin is not ready to end the war.”

“He thinks he is winning,” Trump is reported to have said. This statement aligns with what several European leaders have long assumed, but it is the first time they have heard it directly from Trump.

No New Steps Against Russia

Despite this assessment, Trump was reportedly not inclined to take further action against Russia.

Instead, he suggested that talks between Russia and Ukraine should be initiated quickly at a lower diplomatic level.

The Vatican was mentioned as a possible host for these negotiations, which might take place as early as next month.

Publicly More Optimistic

Officially, Trump has spoken more positively about the prospects for peace.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social after the conversation with Putin, he wrote: “Just finished my two-hour talk with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin. I think it went very well.”

He added that “Russia and Ukraine will promptly begin negotiations for a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war.”

A New Balance

Even as Trump’s public and private statements appear to diverge, his call has resonated among European leaders.

For many, it is no longer the injustice of the war itself but rather the belief in victory that prevents Putin from seeking peace.

This paints a new picture of the power balance and reveals how far the road to an actual peace agreement may yet be.

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