US President Donald Trump held a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine “immediately,” Trump said.
According to the Kremlin, the conversation lasted 1.5 hours, with both leaders agreeing that “the time has come to work together.”
Giving details on the call, Trump stated on Truth Social about the “lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.” “We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects. We both reflected on the Great History of our Nations, and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II, remembering, that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many! We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together,” he said.
Trump further stated that he and Putin will “work together, very closely” on resolving the conflict. “we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of, “COMMON SENSE.” We both believe very strongly in it,” he added.
The two also agreed to visit each other’s nations, with Putin inviting Trump to Moscow, according to the statement.
Following the call, Trump said he would immediately reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the discussion with Putin. Trump also explained on the people who will handle the negotiations. “I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations which, I feel strongly, will be successful,” he said.
Further expressing desire to end the Russia-Ukraine war and expressing gratitude to Putin he said, “Millions of people have died in a War that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end. No more lives should be lost! I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call, and for the release, yesterday, of Marc Fogel, a wonderful man that I personally greeted last night at the White House. I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!”
Trump had revealed about a phone call with Putin late last week as well. In an exclusive conversation with The New York Post whilst on Air Force One, Trump refrained from revealing the frequency of his communications but emphasised that Putin “does care” about the casualties in the conflict.
“He wants to see people stop dying,” Trump said. “All those dead people. Young, young, beautiful people. They’re like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason.”
The conflict commenced in February 2022 when Russia initiated a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, stating security apprehensions regarding Ukraine’s strengthening relationships with NATO and Western nations.
