Moscow/Brussels, Mar. 17, (dpa/GNA) – The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that a telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump is planned for Tuesday, as EU foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss additional aid for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that preparations for the conversation were under way, without giving further details.
Trump had previously said that he wanted to talk to Putin about trying to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, saying that he may have news to announce on Tuesday.
This would be the second formal phone call between the two presidents since Trump returned to office, following their first conversation in February.
The Russian confirmation comes as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday to discuss a new initiative that could provide billions of euros of further military aid for Ukraine.
German minister warns against unilateral concessions
Speaking in Brussels, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged Trump not to make unilateral concessions to Putin that could harm Ukraine.
Trump said on Sunday evening that he would talk to Putin on Tuesday as part of his efforts to “bring that war to an end.”
Baerbock stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic unity, insisting that Ukraine’s territorial integrity must remain the basis for all negotiations.
“No options should be taken off the table in advance,” she said, without criticizing Trump’s planned talks with Putin.
Baerbock noted that Putin has so far resisted a US-backed 30-day-long ceasefire in Ukraine. Kiev, however, has said it is ready to accept it.
“The ball is now in Putin’s court,” Baerbock said.
Many EU nations view Trump’s approach as problematic, as it has so far focused on pressuring Ukraine for concessions.
As part of a peace deal with Russia, the Trump administration has suggested it wants Kiev to abandon its push for rapid NATO accession and accept that parts of its territory will remain under Russian control.
EU ministers discuss further aid
Following the change of course in Washington under Trump, EU countries are scrambling to procure further support for Kiev.
On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that Ukraine will have to wait for fresh military aid commitments as key details remain unresolved.
While broad political support exists, Kallas noted at the meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers that EU defence ministers must also be involved in discussions.
According to diplomats, a decision in principle on the aid is unlikely before Thursday’s summit of EU leaders.
Kallas has proposed sending €20-40 billion ($21.8-43.6 billion) in aid this year, with contributions based on each member state’s economic strength.
But to avoid potential vetoes, participation would be voluntary, according to a document seen by dpa.
Hungary, led by right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, opposes the aid, calling it futile and prolonging the war. Budapest recently forced the EU to lift sanctions on several Russians.
For some countries, such as Germany, the support proposed by Kallas would not be a problem. Berlin has already approved aid totalling €4 billion for this year, with a further €3 billion to be added soon.
However, other large countries such as France, Italy and Spain would have to significantly increase their support for Ukraine if they were to make a contribution to the fund that is proportionate to their economic strength.
EU ministers stick to Syria plans
Following discussions on Ukraine aid, EU foreign ministers agreed to stick to plans to lift sanctions on Syria, despite a recent surge in violence in the war-torn country.
Following the consultations, Kallas said that it was important to offer hope to the population to prevent further violence.
The EU is closely monitoring the course of the new Syrian leadership, the EU foreign policy chief said, particularly regarding recent violence in the coastal province of Latakia.
In early March, militants linked to the regime of ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad attacked security forces in Latakia, prompting a major military response from the transitional government.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, about 1,500 people, many of them civilians, were killed.
The government viewed the uprising as an attempt by al-Assad loyalists to destabilize the country.
EU countries agreed to gradually ease sanctions on Syria in February, some two months after al-Assad was ousted by an Islamist-led rebel alliance, to allow for a quick economic recovery and reconstruction of the country.
The step was also motivated by hopes that hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees currently living in the European Union may one day be able to return.
Monday’s ministerial consultations were followed by a donor conference to raise aid for the Syrian population and Syrian refugees in the region, with Germany pledging an additional €300 million to help mitigate the devastating impact of Syria’s civil war.
GNA