Negotiations Between Russia & Ukraine to Begin Immediately After Trump Speaks to Both Leaders

On Wednesday, President Trump held a significant phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking their first publicly acknowledged discussion since Trump assumed office. Trump shared on Truth Social that the call was both extensive and fruitful, covering a range of critical issues including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Middle Eastern affairs, energy policies, advancements in artificial intelligence, the stability of the dollar, and other pertinent topics.

A key outcome of their dialogue was the mutual agreement to initiate immediate negotiations aimed at ending the devastating war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for approximately three years following Russia's invasion. Trump emphasized their shared commitment to halting the immense loss of life, quoting Putin’s reference to Trump’s campaign slogan, “COMMON SENSE,” as a guiding principle for their collaborative efforts. Both leaders expressed a strong desire to work closely together, including potential visits to each other’s nations, to advance peace.

Shortly after concluding his call with Putin, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump’s engagement and highlighted their discussion on potential pathways to peace, Ukraine’s technological advancements—particularly in drone technology and other cutting-edge industries—and the readiness of both nations to collaborate at a strategic level. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering desire for peace and its commitment to working alongside the U.S. to counter Russian aggression and secure a durable resolution.

Trump announced that he would task key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with leading the negotiation efforts. He also took the opportunity to thank Putin for his cooperation, particularly in securing the release of Marc Fogel, an American citizen who had been detained in Russia for over three years. Fogel’s release coincided with the U.S. preparing to free Alexander Vinnik, a Russian national convicted of money laundering conspiracy.

This high-level communication comes amid Trump’s broader campaign promise to bring an end to the Ukraine conflict, which has persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. While Trump has been evasive in recent weeks about whether he had been in contact with Putin, this call signals a potential shift toward more serious diplomatic engagement. Trump and his congressional allies have questioned the extent of U.S. support for Ukraine, suggesting that European nations should take a more prominent role in aiding Kyiv. However, Trump has also warned of potential sanctions against Moscow if it refuses to engage in ceasefire negotiations.

In related developments, Vice President Vance is scheduled to meet with Zelensky during the Munich Security Conference in Europe, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been dispatched to Ukraine to discuss increased U.S. access to the country’s critical minerals. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted during a meeting with NATO and Ukrainian defense ministers that expecting Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia is “unrealistic,” referencing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which triggered widespread international condemnation.

The contrast between this administration and the last are clear. Biden's solution was to just keep sending Ukraine our taxpayer dollars while doing nothing to try to end the ridiculous war. Trump's solution is to claw back the billions we wasted on Ukraine, while also working towards a negotiation to ending the war. The adults are back!