On Wednesday, U.S. President engaged in phone discussions with Russian President and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, marking a significant initial move towards diplomacy in his commitment to end an ongoing war.
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump announced on social media that "agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately" and mentioned his forthcoming call with Zelenskiy.
After speaking with the Ukrainian leader, Trump stated, "The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make peace."
Zelenskiy's office reported that Trump and Zelenskiy conversed for around an hour, while the Kremlin stated that Putin's call with Trump lasted close to an hour and a half.
Zelenskiy shared on social media, "I had a meaningful conversation with @POTUS. We discussed opportunities to achieve peace, our readiness to collaborate, and Ukraine's technological capabilities, including drones and other advanced industries."
The Kremlin disclosed that Putin and Trump had agreed to meet, with Putin inviting Trump to visit Moscow. An alternative meeting place in a third country, including , is under consideration according to Russian sources.
Addressing the conflict in Ukraine, Trump's defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, articulated the administration's stance, indicating that Kyiv's aspirations to recover all occupied territories since 2014 and secure NATO membership were unrealistic objectives.
Hegseth emphasized that a lasting peace should include "robust security guarantees" but clarified that U.S. troops would not be stationed in Ukraine under such guarantees.
France, Germany, and Spain affirmed that Ukraine's fate should involve active participation from Kyiv. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot underscored Europe's commitment to providing security guarantees for Ukraine, even if immediate NATO membership is not attainable.
Zelenskiy's recent proposal for U.S. investment in Ukrainian minerals aims to sustain American support post-war. Trump confirmed discussions with Zelenskiy regarding a possible meeting in Munich on Friday, to be attended by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Amidst Putin's invitation to Trump and signs of improved relations, a prisoner swap initiated on Tuesday was noted by the Kremlin as a positive step towards building trust between the two nations.
Notably, no peace talks have occurred since the conflict began, with prior leaders having no direct communication with Putin post-Russia's invasion in 2022. ongoing, with Moscow demanding territorial concessions from Kyiv and permanent neutrality under any peace agreement.
While acknowledging that NATO membership may not be imminent, Kyiv stresses the necessity for military support in a peace deal. Zelenskiy highlighted Ukraine's readiness for a substantial military force to deter future aggression, expressing reliance on U.S. assistance as a backup plan.