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European Leaders Reportedly “Stunned” by Trump’s Account of Putin Call

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Liubava Petriv
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European Leaders Reportedly “Stunned” by Trump’s Account of Putin Call
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, joined European leaders at Maidan Square in Kyiv on May 10, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Following a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 19, US President Donald Trump held a series of follow-up calls with leaders from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission.

According to The Financial Times, citing a source familiar with the calls, the European leaders were reportedly “stunned” by Trump’s account of the conversation with Putin. The source did not disclose which specific elements of the discussion caused concern among the participants.

The report suggests that Trump’s remarks may indicate a potential shift in Washington’s approach to the war in Ukraine, possibly stepping back from its traditional role as a mediator.

In a post on his Truth Social platform following the Putin call, Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately begin negotiations on a ceasefire and ending the war.” He added that the two countries would discuss the terms of a peace deal directly, “because they know the details of the negotiations that no one else will.”

These comments appear to contrast with Ukraine’s previously stated position—that any negotiations should follow a full cessation of hostilities, not precede it.

In the aftermath of Trump’s outreach to European leaders, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on social media that the participants had reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s efforts toward a ceasefire.

“Europe will increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions. We agreed on this with [Trump] after his conversation with Putin,” Merz wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

On May 19, US President Donald Trump announced  that his two-hour phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin went “very well” and that Russia and Ukraine would immediately begin negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war.

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