U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he expects a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "later this week or early next week". He briefly commented on his answer: "Yes, that will happen." At the same time, he stressed that he was working to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, Russian news agency TASS reported.
Trump had previously indicated on September 7 and 4 that he planned to speak with Putin in the near future, Reuters recalled. Commentators say this shows that the United States is actively seeking channels of communication at the highest level. But at the same time, the US administration is also sending opposite signals - as Al Jazeera reported, Washington is considering tightening sanctions against Moscow if no breakthrough is made.
The last personal meeting between the two presidents took place on 15 August at a military base in Alaska. According to the Russian official statement, the main topic of the summit was the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. At the time, Putin spoke of "opening a new chapter" in Russian-American relations and invited Trump to visit Moscow. The Washington Post recalls that this meeting was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after months of strained relations and that it was also an attempt to resume direct dialogue.
At the same time, there are other signals about the US strategy towards Russia. According to the Financial Times, Trump's advisers are considering not only economic sanctions against Russia itself, but also pressure on third countries that could help Moscow circumvent existing measures. Coordinating action with allies in Europe is also being discussed. Analysts at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace warn that while this strengthens Washington's negotiating position, it risks further escalation with Russia and tensions within NATO.
A phone call with Putin could thus have several levels - from a mere diplomatic signal of willingness to dialogue to the first step towards broader negotiations on Ukraine and security in Europe. Only the coming weeks will tell whether this will be a breakthrough or just a symbolic gesture.
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