Trump and Putin Discuss Immediate Steps to End Ukraine War

TDT | Manama

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had a "lengthy and highly productive" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump, who has consistently vowed to bring the conflict to a swift resolution, said he would now call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the discussion.

The move marks a significant departure from the Biden administration’s approach, which has emphasized "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." By prioritizing talks with Russia before engaging Ukraine, Trump signals a shift in diplomatic strategy should he return to office.

"We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelensky, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation—something which I will be doing right now," Trump wrote on his social media platform.

The discussion between Trump and Putin reportedly centered on "the pressing need to stop the killing in Ukraine." The war, now in its third year following Moscow’s invasion, has led to hundreds of thousands of casualties and significant destruction. In response, the U.S. and its NATO allies have supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars in military and financial aid to support its defense.

Trump also revealed that he and Putin explored other global issues, including developments in the Middle East, energy policies, artificial intelligence, and the dominance of the U.S. dollar in international trade. Additionally, he claimed that both leaders agreed to work closely together and even considered reciprocal visits to each other’s countries.

While Trump has frequently asserted that he could end the war quickly, he has yet to outline a concrete strategy for achieving peace. On Sunday, he reiterated his commitment to resolving the conflict but offered no specifics on how he would negotiate a ceasefire or settlement acceptable to all parties.

As Trump positions himself for a potential return to the White House, his direct engagement with Putin raises questions about how U.S. foreign policy could change under his leadership. His approach to Ukraine may indicate a recalibration of relations between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv in the coming months.