Trump and Putin Discuss Ending Ukraine War in ‘Lengthy’ Call/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to “immediately” begin negotiations to end the Ukraine war. In a social media post, Trump detailed their “lengthy” conversation, emphasizing a commitment to work closely and visit each other’s nations. Trump has tasked key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, with leading negotiations. Meanwhile, a recent U.S.-Russia prisoner swap has fueled speculation about diplomatic progress.
Trump-Putin Negotiations: Quick Look
- Major Development: Trump and Putin agreed to initiate peace talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Key U.S. Officials Involved: Trump assigned Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and others to lead negotiations.
- Zelenskyy’s Role Unclear: The White House has not confirmed if Ukraine will be directly involved in the talks.
- Prisoner Swap Signals Diplomatic Shift: The U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel from Russian custody in exchange for convicted Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik.
- Kremlin’s Response: Moscow cautiously welcomed the discussions, acknowledging the prisoner swap could build trust.
Trump and Putin Discuss Ending Ukraine War in ‘Lengthy’ Call
Deep Look: Trump Says Russia Agrees to Start Ukraine Peace Talks
In a significant diplomatic move, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to “immediately” begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump disclosed details of his call with Putin on Truth Social, emphasizing that both nations would work “very closely” to achieve peace.
“We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Trump has tasked a group of top officials with leading the negotiations, including:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- National Security Advisor Michael Waltz
- Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
Ukraine’s Role in Talks Remains Unclear
The White House declined to confirm whether Ukraine would be directly involved in the U.S.-Russia negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has insisted on the withdrawal of Russian forces as a condition for peace, has yet to respond to Trump’s announcement.
While Trump has long argued he could broker a deal to end the war, his latest announcement marks the first official step toward negotiations. However, critics warn that any agreement must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Prisoner Swap Signals Possible Diplomatic Opening
The phone call between Trump and Putin came just after a high-profile prisoner swap between the two nations. Russia released American history teacher Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned on drug charges since 2021, while the U.S. freed Alexander Vinnik, a Russian convicted of cryptocurrency fraud.
Fogel, deemed “wrongfully detained” by the U.S., was serving a 14-year sentence before his release in what the White House described as a diplomatic breakthrough. He was welcomed at the White House by Trump on Tuesday evening and was later reunited with his family.
While Trump did not confirm whether he discussed Fogel’s case with Putin, he suggested that the exchange could serve as a foundation for broader diplomatic progress.
“We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war,” Trump told reporters.
The Kremlin cautiously acknowledged the swap, stating that it could help build mutual trust but stopped short of confirming broader diplomatic progress.
Trump and Putin Highlight Historical Ties
In his Truth Social post, Trump reflected on the historical relationship between the U.S. and Russia, referencing their alliance in World War II.
“We both reflected on the Great History of our Nations, and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II,” Trump wrote, adding that Putin even echoed his campaign slogan, calling for “COMMON SENSE” in negotiations.
While Moscow’s official response has been measured, the announcement of imminent peace talks represents a potential turning point in the nearly three-year-long war. However, with Ukraine’s participation in the negotiations still uncertain and deep geopolitical tensions at play, the path to peace remains complex.
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