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The sudden pivot created confusion inside The Pentagon. Military planners who had been preparing for further escalation were instead asked to review plans focused on de-escalation. One official described the abrupt change simply: “Everything shifted in a matter of hours.” Allies across Europe and the Middle East were caught off guard by the development, with diplomats scrambling to determine whether the move represented a temporary pause or the beginning of a broader diplomatic effort. Speaking to reporters later that morning, Trump confirmed the conversation with Putin and emphasized that diplomacy could still play a role in resolving the crisis.
