President Donald Trump announced a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders agreed to start negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that teams from the U.S. and Russia would immediately begin diplomatic talks.
Following Trump’s conversation with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with the U.S. president. Zelensky described the discussion as “good and detailed,” emphasizing the importance of securing a “lasting, reliable peace.” The Ukrainian leader stated that upcoming meetings with U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would focus on Ukraine’s security.
During his conversation with reporters, Trump revealed that a face-to-face meeting with Putin would take place in Saudi Arabia. He also noted that both he and Putin had invited each other to visit their respective capitals. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the phone call lasted nearly 90 minutes and that Putin welcomed Trump’s call for negotiations.
Trump signaled a shift in U.S. policy by stating it was unlikely Ukraine would return to its pre-2014 borders, although he suggested that “some of that land will come back.” This stance aligns with comments from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who told NATO allies there was no expectation that Ukraine would join the military alliance in the near future.
European leaders responded swiftly, with foreign ministers from seven nations, including Britain, France, and Germany, insisting that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations. A joint statement from the group called for strong security guarantees for Ukraine and affirmed their commitment to ongoing discussions with the U.S.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s position that no peace talks should occur without Kyiv’s direct involvement. However, the Trump-Putin call suggests a shift in diplomatic efforts. Some Ukrainian officials fear that Western support may wane, particularly as Trump has signaled a reduced role for the U.S. in European defense matters.
As negotiations begin, the path forward remains uncertain. Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, while Ukrainian forces have launched counteroffensives, including strikes into Russia’s western Kursk region. Kremlin officials rejected the idea of exchanging Russian-held Ukrainian territory for land in Russia, dismissing it as “impossible.”
Meanwhile, Trump commented that Ukraine should hold an election soon, referencing Zelensky’s term expiring in May 2024. Zelensky has stated that elections cannot take place under martial law and that security guarantees from the U.S. are essential to any peace deal.
The war, which has lasted nearly three years, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of military casualties and displaced millions of Ukrainian civilians. With diplomatic efforts now underway, all sides face tough decisions in the pursuit of a resolution.
