In a surprising announcement this Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he has reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to start "immediate negotiations" aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump shared on Truth Social that this agreement followed a "lengthy and very productive phone call" where both leaders emphasized their desire to halt the "millions of deaths occurring" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As part of this new understanding, Trump and Putin decided to "work closely together," even considering mutual visits to each other's countries. They also agreed that their diplomatic teams would begin negotiations without delay. Trump mentioned that he has already informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the discussions with Putin.
To spearhead these negotiations, Trump has appointed Marco Rubio, the current Secretary of State; John Ratcliffe, the CIA Director; National Security Advisor Michael Waltz; and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump expressed confidence in this team's ability to achieve "a successful outcome."
Trump reiterated in his message that the ongoing war, which he claims would not have occurred had he been in office, has resulted in the loss of millions of lives. He stressed the importance of preventing further casualties at this juncture. He also thanked Putin for his cooperation during their conversation and for the recent release of Marc Fogel, a "wonderful man and teacher," who was welcomed at the White House on Tuesday night.
The two presidents also touched upon other topics, including the Middle East, energy issues, artificial intelligence, the strength of the dollar, and various matters of mutual interest. They reflected on the historical collaboration between their nations, especially during World War II, highlighting the enormous human cost borne by both Russia and the United States. Trump concluded by expressing optimism that these efforts will lead to "a successful conclusion," hoping for a swift end to the war.
A Pivotal Dialogue Between Trump and Putin
The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the conversation between the two leaders, noting that the call lasted nearly an hour and a half. During the discussion, besides addressing the war in Ukraine, they explored the possibility of a citizen exchange between Russia and the United States.
Peskov reported that President Putin acknowledged the need to tackle the root causes of the conflict and concurred with Trump that a long-term resolution is achievable through peace talks.
Zelensky Open to Concessions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his readiness to negotiate territorial exchanges with Russia through "serious negotiations," according to the British newspaper The Guardian. Zelensky, who is set to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Munich, Germany, this Friday, stated his willingness for genuine discussions.
"We will exchange one territory for another," Zelensky declared in an interview with the British paper. He indicated willingness to relinquish the Russian region of Kursk in exchange for areas of Ukraine occupied by Moscow since the conflict began in February 2022.
Conversation Between Trump and Zelensky
On the same day, President Zelensky announced a "significant" conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the steps necessary to end the war. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Trump for his proactive approach and shared that Trump had briefed him on his earlier conversation with Putin.
"No one desires peace more than Ukraine. Together with the United States, we are defining the next steps to halt Russian aggression and ensure a lasting and reliable peace," Zelensky stated on his social media account. "As President Trump said, let's do it. We have agreed to maintain more contact and plan upcoming meetings," he added.
A Shift in U.S. Diplomacy
While specific terms of the agreement or details on how negotiations will proceed remain undisclosed, the announcement marks a notable shift in Washington's diplomatic approach. Under Joe Biden's administration, the U.S. had maintained unwavering support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
Simultaneously with the negotiations, the Kremlin confirmed that Marc Fogel's recent release was part of a prisoner exchange with the United States. In the "coming days," Washington is expected to release a Russian citizen, whose identity will be disclosed once they are back on Russian soil.
Peskov emphasized that diplomatic engagements between the two nations have intensified over the past weeks, facilitating the release of both Fogel and the detained Russian citizen in the U.S. When asked about the potential for this prisoner exchange to aid peace talks in Ukraine, the Kremlin's spokesperson underscored that any agreement serves as "a step towards building mutual trust, which is currently at its lowest point."
Key Questions on Trump and Putin's Peace Talks
What was the main outcome of the Trump-Putin conversation?
The main outcome was the agreement to begin immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, with both leaders expressing a desire to stop the ongoing casualties.
Who has Trump appointed to lead the negotiations?
Trump appointed Marco Rubio, John Ratcliffe, Michael Waltz, and Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiation efforts.
What was discussed regarding the prisoner exchange?
The recent release of Marc Fogel was part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, with further exchanges planned in the coming days.