Discussions focus on peace negotiations, airstrikes reported in Odesa, and international responses to Ukraine's military situation.
In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, former U.S. President
Donald Trump engaged in discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the necessity for both Kyiv and Europe to participate in peace negotiations aimed at resolving the war.
Following their dialogue, Trump announced that talks to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine would commence immediately.
He described the conversations with Putin as "long and very productive," with both leaders expressing a desire to prevent further loss of life caused by the ongoing conflict.
Amid these dialogues, explosions were reported in the Odesa region, leading Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov to alert citizens via Telegram about air raid sirens in the city.
Ukrainian President Zelensky also highlighted the growing fatigue among the Ukrainian population regarding the prolonged military conflict.
In an interview with The Economist, he noted, "People are tired.
This mood comes in waves.
A long war, of course.
The energy fades."
Furthermore, Russian officials accused Ukraine of disrupting the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that a convoy with Russian military personnel and IAEA staff was targeted by drone strikes while waiting for rotation procedures, suggesting that the Ukrainian armed forces impeded the planned handover.
Conversing about military realities, American Defense Secretary Pete Hegset emphasized that the return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders was unattainable and highlighted the necessity for a realistic assessment of the situation on the ground.
As discussions on security guarantees continue among NATO members, several European leaders reaffirmed that no decisions regarding Ukraine's future should occur without its consent and collaboration.
On the diplomatic front, the communication between Trump and Zelensky lasted over an hour, covering topics related to the ceasefire, a new security agreement, and economic and energy cooperation.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine desires peace more than any party involved in the conflict.
Amid these developments, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bezant visited Kyiv to discuss potential agreements regarding Ukraine's rare minerals as compensation for American military aid, coinciding with the upcoming Munich Security Conference.
In a related incident, Polish authorities reported a brief incursion of a Russian Su-24MR tactical bomber into their airspace, which was acknowledged by Russia as a navigation error.
The Polish military maintained communication with Russian officials following the episode.
The escalation of military actions, including airstrikes reported in Ukraine and ongoing diplomatic negotiations, continues to shape the current landscape of the conflict, prompting various international responses.