Trump's call with Putin ends U.S. efforts to isolate Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video conference meeting with Bryansk Region Gov. Alexander Bogomaz at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow Russia, on Feb. 13, 2025. Credit: AP/Gavriil Grigorov
By saying Ukraine’s NATO membership is “impractical” and the return of Russian-occupied territories to Kyiv is “illusionary,” the Trump administration is giving its blessing to key items on President Vladimir Putin’s wish list — even before a potential settlement of the conflict.
Rarely was a policy change between Moscow and Washington so swift and drastic than President Donald Trump’s phone call with Putin, abruptly ending three-year U.S.-led effort to isolate the Russian leader over Ukraine.
And the fighting in Ukraine wasn’t the only issue the two leaders discussed in Wednesday's call. They talked about the Middle East settlement, the role of the dollar, global energy markets and even artificial intelligence.
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