Georgi Kanchev

So this call is crucial because ultimately the discussions between Ukraine, Russia, the West, they're about an immediate ceasefire. But at the same time, Russia has been resisting such a truce. And for that reason, it's not very clear how much this call could accomplish. On Friday, Russia again came to the Istanbul talks with their maximalist demands that Ukraine's troops retreat.

So this call is crucial because ultimately the discussions between Ukraine, Russia, the West, they're about an immediate ceasefire. But at the same time, Russia has been resisting such a truce. And for that reason, it's not very clear how much this call could accomplish. On Friday, Russia again came to the Istanbul talks with their maximalist demands that Ukraine's troops retreat.

withdraw from these four regions, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2022. And of course, this is a complete non-starter for Ukraine. And Russia came up with other demands as well, something they call the root causes of the conflict, which include basically questioning Ukraine's whole sovereignty and expansion of NATO.

withdraw from these four regions, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2022. And of course, this is a complete non-starter for Ukraine. And Russia came up with other demands as well, something they call the root causes of the conflict, which include basically questioning Ukraine's whole sovereignty and expansion of NATO.

So we're seeing so far that Russia has not moved back an inch from its demands. And while Trump, of course, has had direct contact with Putin, it's not very clear how much this call can actually accomplish, given that Russia is continuing to hold to its maximalist demands.

So we're seeing so far that Russia has not moved back an inch from its demands. And while Trump, of course, has had direct contact with Putin, it's not very clear how much this call can actually accomplish, given that Russia is continuing to hold to its maximalist demands.

Absolutely. Yesterday, Russia launched one of its largest aerial barrages of the war. They deployed over 270 drones across Ukraine. People were killed. Ukraine has said that Russia is preparing the ground for a potential summer offensive.

Absolutely. Yesterday, Russia launched one of its largest aerial barrages of the war. They deployed over 270 drones across Ukraine. People were killed. Ukraine has said that Russia is preparing the ground for a potential summer offensive.

So on the ground, as in the diplomatic realm, we're not seeing the Russians really giving any concessions or preparing for any meaningful cessation in military activity. Of course, there is pressure from the United States, potentially devastating economic sanctions on Russia, which the Europeans have said would kick in if Russia doesn't agree to ceasefire. So far, this has not happened.

So on the ground, as in the diplomatic realm, we're not seeing the Russians really giving any concessions or preparing for any meaningful cessation in military activity. Of course, there is pressure from the United States, potentially devastating economic sanctions on Russia, which the Europeans have said would kick in if Russia doesn't agree to ceasefire. So far, this has not happened.

But this is, of course, something to watch, maybe even for today's call, in case Trump threatens Putin with more economic sanctions, in case Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire.

But this is, of course, something to watch, maybe even for today's call, in case Trump threatens Putin with more economic sanctions, in case Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire.

I think European leaders will continue to press the US president to impose sanctions on Russia. And Trump seemed to agree at some point that new sanctions should be on the horizon, but now... That's not very clear because at the same time in his weekend social media post where he announced the call with Putin, he said that besides the conflict in Ukraine, they would also discuss trade.

I think European leaders will continue to press the US president to impose sanctions on Russia. And Trump seemed to agree at some point that new sanctions should be on the horizon, but now... That's not very clear because at the same time in his weekend social media post where he announced the call with Putin, he said that besides the conflict in Ukraine, they would also discuss trade.

And that's something that obviously Russia definitely welcomes. They're really keen on resetting the relationship with the U.S., But from Zelensky's point of view, it's a tough situation because Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in March. Russia didn't.

And that's something that obviously Russia definitely welcomes. They're really keen on resetting the relationship with the U.S., But from Zelensky's point of view, it's a tough situation because Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in March. Russia didn't.

And now Zelensky needs to convince Trump ultimately, and the Europeans too, they need to convince Trump that if Russia doesn't agree to that truce, some serious action must follow. But we just have to see what Trump's reaction will be after he speaks to Putin.

And now Zelensky needs to convince Trump ultimately, and the Europeans too, they need to convince Trump that if Russia doesn't agree to that truce, some serious action must follow. But we just have to see what Trump's reaction will be after he speaks to Putin.

Thank you.

Thank you.