Trump And Putin Discuss Ukraine War Resolution In Lengthy Call
In a consequential diplomatic move, President Donald Trump announced that negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine will commence “immediately” following what he described as a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday morning.
The conversation, the first between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office last month, highlights his commitment to swiftly resolving the Ukraine conflict. The Trump administration hopes that Tuesday’s prisoner exchange, which saw the release of wrongfully detained American Marc Fogel, signals the possibility of renewed diplomatic efforts.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump shared details of the call, revealing that he and Putin discussed a range of global issues, including Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, and the global financial system. Notably, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and arrange reciprocal visits to each other’s nations.
“We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” Trump wrote.
Both Washington and Moscow portrayed the exchange as constructive. Trump highlighted Putin’s use of his campaign slogan, “COMMON SENSE,” as an indication of their mutual understanding, suggesting that the Russian leader deliberately chose his words to appeal to him. The Kremlin confirmed the call lasted nearly 90 minutes.
Trump had been signaling his intent to speak with Putin for weeks, seeking a resolution to the war that has now entered its fourth year. Meanwhile, his administration is reshaping U.S. foreign policy, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a conference in Brussels that Ukraine’s NATO membership is “unrealistic.” He emphasized that the Trump administration is shifting its focus toward securing U.S. borders and preventing conflict with China rather than prioritizing European security.
Additionally, Trump has floated the idea of striking a deal with Ukraine, proposing that American access to the country’s valuable rare earth minerals could serve as compensation for continued U.S. support.
Shortly after his call with Putin, Trump reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the next steps. This marks a stark contrast to his predecessor, Joe Biden, who refrained from engaging with Putin for nearly three years, viewing him as a war criminal.
The last U.S. president to visit Russia was Barack Obama in 2013 for a G20 summit, while Putin’s last U.S. visit was in 2015 for United Nations talks.
Later in the day, Trump suggested a potential in-person meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia but clarified that no final decision has been made. He indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would play a role in the discussions, stating, “We know the crown prince, and I think it’d be a very good place to be.”
A date for the meeting remains undetermined, though Trump hinted it could take place in the near future. While he has not committed to visiting Ukraine, he acknowledged he would “think about it.”
Trump’s top negotiator, Steve Witkoff, pointed to the release of Marc Fogel as a promising indicator of future diplomatic progress. “I think they had a great friendship, and I think now it’s going to continue. It’s a really good thing for the world,” Witkoff remarked.
