Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Hour-Long Call After Putin Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for about an hour following Trump’s earlier conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While details of their discussion remain undisclosed, the call comes amid Trump’s announcement that Russia has agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The White House has yet to confirm whether Ukraine will directly participate in these U.S.-Russia talks.
Trump-Zelenskyy Call: Quick Look
- Hour-Long Discussion: Trump and Zelenskyy spoke on the evening of February 12, following Trump’s conversation with Putin.
- Unknown Details: The Ukrainian president’s advisor confirmed the call, but no official statement on its contents has been released.
- Trump-Putin Talks Preceded It: Trump previously announced that Putin agreed to start peace negotiations.
- U.S.-Ukraine Relations: Separately, Ukraine received a draft U.S. natural resources partnership agreement amid ongoing security discussions.
- Strategic Timing: The call took place ahead of the Munich Security Conference, where Ukraine plans to finalize key agreements.
Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Hour-Long Call After Putin Talks
Deep Look: Trump and Zelenskyy Speak After Putin Call
On February 12, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a one-hour phone conversation, marking a key diplomatic exchange following Trump’s earlier discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The contents of the conversation remain undisclosed, with Zelenskyy’s advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, confirming the call but offering no further details. However, the timing of the call—directly after Trump’s announcement that Putin had agreed to “immediately” begin peace negotiations—suggests Ukraine’s role in the potential talks was a central topic.
Trump-Putin Call Sets Stage for Ukraine Diplomacy
Trump’s conversation with Zelenskyy came after he had a “lengthy” discussion with Putin, during which the Russian leader purportedly agreed to begin immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Following his call with Putin, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“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 Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation.”
Trump has appointed key officials, including:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- National Security Advisor Michael Waltz
- Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
to lead the U.S. role in the upcoming negotiations. However, Ukraine’s direct participation in these U.S.-Russia talks remains uncertain. The White House has declined to confirm whether Zelenskyy’s government will be included in the negotiations.
U.S.-Ukraine Talks on Natural Resources Partnership
In a separate but related development, Ukraine has received a draft natural resources partnership agreement from the United States. President Zelenskyy confirmed that discussions on the agreement are ongoing and that Ukraine aims to formalize its provisions at the upcoming Munich Security Conference.
Zelenskyy stated:
“We are starting to work more closely with President Trump’s team. The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine is very important to me. We talked about minerals in general… I want our team to study this document.”
The draft agreement follows reports that the U.S. is seeking access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a resource crucial for modern technology and defense industries. On February 11, Trump suggested that Ukraine had “effectively agreed” to grant the U.S. access to an estimated $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for continued American military support.
Strategic Implications & What Comes Next
Trump’s back-to-back conversations with Putin and Zelenskyy signal a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the Ukraine conflict. While Trump has presented these talks as steps toward peace negotiations, critics warn that Ukraine must be fully included in any settlement to ensure its sovereignty and security.
The Munich Security Conference, where Ukraine plans to finalize agreements with the U.S., could offer further insight into the evolving diplomatic landscape. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how Ukraine responds to the prospect of U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war—especially if Kyiv is not directly included in the discussions.
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