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Putin-Trump talk of pivotal importance for negotiations on Ukraine — Dodik

Putin and Trump discussed, among other things, the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine by telephone on February 12

BELGRADE, February 13. /TASS/. The telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump is of paramount importance for the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, said Serb Republic President Milorad Dodik.

"I am glad that the two great leaders, President Trump and President Putin, are ready to discuss the end of the war. <...> The recent conversation has global significance, as it shows what true leadership and the fulfillment of campaign promises can do. <... Peace is the greatest value of all. From the very beginning of the conflict, I have pointed out that dialogue is the only way to end it," Dodik wrote on his page on the social network X.

Putin and Trump discussed, among other things, the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine by telephone on February 12. According to the Kremlin, Trump called for an early cessation of hostilities and a peaceful solution to the problem. Putin mentioned the need to eliminate the underlying causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be achieved through peaceful negotiations, the press service of the Russian leader said. The head of the US administration wrote on the Truth Social network that Moscow and Washington are immediately initiating negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Also on February 12, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth told a regular meeting of the Western contact group coordinating arms supplies to Kiev that returning to Ukraine's borders as of 2014 was "an unrealistic task." He also effectively ruled out Ukraine’s joining NATO and warned Europe that, in the view of the Trump administration, it should ensure its own security.

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