MADRID/ISTANBUL

Any potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine must be fair for Europe and the region, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Wednesday.

During his visit to the French capital Paris with foreign ministers from several other European Union countries, Albares commented on US President Donald Trump’s announcement earlier in the day regarding a phone conversation he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He expressed caution about Trump's statement, saying: "Nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine, and nothing can be decided about Europe’s security without Europe."

"Russia's attack on Ukraine clearly impacts Europe's security,” he added.

He emphasized that any potential peace deal should also respect the UN Charter, adding: "An unjust peace cannot end an unjust war, because such a deal would not be beneficial for Europe's security or global stability."

Albares' remarks came shortly after the call between Trump and Putin.

"We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

He said they also spoke about the strengths of their nations and “the great benefit that we will someday have in working together.”

"But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong campaign motto of ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it.

"We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now," he added.

Trump also spoke with Zelenskyy about the Russia-Ukraine war.

"The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE," he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said he also spoke to Zelenskyy about a meeting that is being set up for Friday in Munich, Germany, where US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead talks.

"I am hopeful that the results of that meeting will be positive. It is time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!" Trump wrote.