Trump and Putin Engage in Talks to End Ukraine Conflict

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump revealed during an exclusive interview aboard Air Force One that he engaged in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a potential resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The call took place on Wednesday morning and marks the first known conversation between the two leaders since Trump took office last month.

Trump stated, “I’d better not say” how many times he and Putin have communicated, but he expressed a belief that the Russian leader is concerned about the casualties on the battlefield. “He wants to see people stop dying,” Trump said, referencing the toll of the three-year war that he claimed would not have happened under his administration.

During the discussion, Trump mentioned pressing issues including the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, and the U.S. dollar. The conversation lasted approximately 90 minutes, according to the Kremlin, and both leaders agreed to initiate immediate negotiations to bring an end to the conflict.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the need to stop the violence, stating, “Millions of people have died in a war that would not have happened if I were President.” He described the situation as devastating, highlighting the young lives lost in the conflict. “All those dead people. Young, young, beautiful people. They’re like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason,” he noted.

To tackle the situation, Trump has instructed key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations. He expressed optimism about the prospect of reaching a successful agreement, insisting that he has a substantial plan to curb the violence.

Additionally, Vice President Vance is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference next week. Trump indicated that he wishes to strike a $500 million deal with Zelenskyy for access to Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals and gas in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.

On a related note regarding Iran, Trump stated, “I would like a deal done with Iran on non-nuclear. I would prefer that to bombing the hell out of it.” He avoided disclosing specific negotiation details but emphasized the urgency of avoiding further conflict, saying, “Nobody wants to die.”

The prior U.S. administration, led by President Joe Biden, had not spoken with Putin in nearly three years. Trump’s recent conversation illustrates a shift in diplomatic strategy as he seeks to forge a closer working relationship with Russia.

Trump concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude for Putin’s discussion and the recent release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher previously detained in Russia. He asserted that the recognition of a shared history and mutual cooperation could pave the way for a resolution to the ongoing conflicts.