Donald Trump reported a productive phone call with Vladimir Putin, discussing how to conclude the war in Ukraine. Trump is delegating negotiation responsibilities to senior officials and hinted at future meetings in Saudi Arabia. He also updated Ukrainian President Zelensky about his conversation with Putin, emphasizing collaboration for peace. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump criticized Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations as impractical.
Former President Donald Trump announced a recent productive phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing their mutual desire to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has tasked several senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, with leading negotiations. During the call, both leaders expressed the potential benefits of future collaboration between the U.S. and Russia on various issues, signifying a path toward dialogue and partnership.
The Kremlin confirmed that the call lasted approximately one and a half hours, during which Putin extended an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow. Trump indicated a desire for reciprocal visits, noting that he expects their first meeting to occur in Saudi Arabia. This interaction marks the first known discussion between the two leaders since Trump’s recent inauguration.
Trump also mentioned that following his discussions with Putin, he communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of their conversation. Zelensky acknowledged the positive nature of the call and the shared commitment to achieving peace, further indicating readiness for negotiations at the team level. Zelensky declared, “No one wants peace more than Ukraine,” reaffirming Ukraine’s pivotal role in resolving the conflict with Russia.
In related discussions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked on the unrealistic nature of restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders and suggested that NATO membership for Ukraine may not be a feasible goal. Trump supported this position, expressing agreement and indicating he believed NATO membership for Ukraine was “not practical.”
Historically, Trump claimed during his campaign that he could resolve the war in Ukraine swiftly if elected while suggesting it would not have commenced had he remained in office. His comments have included a mix of threats against Russia should military aggression persist and earlier praises for Putin’s actions concerning international dealings.
Recently, Trump’s outreach coincided with Russia’s release of Marc Fogel, an American educator detained for possessing medical marijuana. Trump publicly thanked Putin for this release, highlighting his administration’s commitment to fostering diplomatic relations and pursuing an end to hostilities in Ukraine. This situation suggests an ongoing dialogue that may impact future U.S.-Russia relations.
In conclusion, President Donald Trump has initiated dialogue with President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, expressing a commitment to ending the hostilities through negotiation. Following an hour and a half call, both leaders appeared ready to engage diplomatically, with potential meetings planned between their nations. Trump’s recent interaction with Ukrainian President Zelensky further showcases efforts toward a cooperative approach in achieving peace. These efforts align with Trump’s broader strategy of advocating for negotiations and understanding rather than military confrontation, and they reflect a significant diplomatic undertaking amid ongoing international tensions.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
