In a significant development following a two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former President Donald Trump declared that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war.” This announcement, shared via Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, marks a hopeful turn in the ongoing conflict that has captured global attention.
During his remarks, Trump emphasized that the specific conditions for the ceasefire will be determined by both parties involved, stating, “They know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.” He described the overall tone and spirit of the conversation as “excellent,” suggesting a promising atmosphere for future discussions.
Trump further remarked on the potential for increased trade between Russia and the United States once the conflict is resolved. He noted, “Russia wants to do large-scale trade with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited.” He also highlighted that Ukraine could greatly benefit from this trade expansion.
After the call, Trump communicated the details to several world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Notably, Trump mentioned that “The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!”
This recent conversation with Putin marks the third known dialogue between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration in January. As tensions continue, Trump has expressed his growing frustration with Putin's reluctance to pursue a peace deal with Ukraine. While traveling to Abu Dhabi last week, he indicated that he believes he is the key to advancing the stalled peace talks, implying that Putin’s absence from negotiations in Turkey was due to Trump not being present.
When asked if he still felt that Putin was manipulating him regarding peace negotiations, Trump replied, “I’ll let you know in a week, I’ll let you know in a few days.” This statement underscores his active involvement and ongoing interest in the situation.
Prior to the call, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump has “grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,” reiterating that his ultimate goal is “to see a ceasefire and to see this conflict come to an end.” As the world watches closely, the unfolding events may pave the way for a much-needed resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
