In a significant diplomatic development, President Donald Trump announces that he has engaged in productive phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aiming to initiate immediate negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump describes his call with President Putin as “long and very productive,” stating that both leaders have agreed to have their respective teams start negotiations immediately. He emphasizes the necessity to end the conflict, highlighting the massive and unnecessary loss of life and destruction it has caused.
Following his discussion with Putin, President Trump speaks with President Zelensky, who expresses gratitude for the U.S. initiative and reaffirms Ukraine’s desire for peace. Zelensky emphasizes Ukraine’s willingness to work together to stop Russian aggression and secure a reliable, lasting peace.
To lead the U.S. delegation in these negotiations, President Trump appoints Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. He expresses confidence in the success of these talks, asserting that the war “would not have happened” if he had remained in office and that “no more lives should be lost.”
This diplomatic initiative follows the recent release of American teacher Marc Fogel from Russian detention, achieved through negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. The prisoner exchange, which involved Russian national Alexander Vinnik, is seen as a positive step toward improved relations and a potential catalyst for further diplomatic efforts.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledges the complexity of the situation, stating that regaining all territories occupied by Russia since 2014 is unrealistic and that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a feasible goal in the near term. Instead, the focus is on providing robust security guarantees and U.S. involvement, though not deploying U.S. troops, to support Ukraine.
The international community watches closely as these negotiations unfold, with cautious optimism that a diplomatic resolution can be achieved to end the conflict that has caused significant human suffering and geopolitical tension.
Source Links:
- Trump makes first big foray into Ukraine diplomacy, speaking to Putin, Zelenskiy
- Trump upends US Ukraine policy and says he and Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending war
- Trump says he and Putin will negotiate to end the war in Ukraine
