Trump and Putin Agree to Launch Peace Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict

US President Donald Trump announced a “substantive and constructive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders agreed that their teams would initiate negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that discussions would begin immediately.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed he had spoken with Trump about achieving “lasting and dependable peace.” Both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that NATO membership for Ukraine is unlikely, which could disappoint Kyiv significantly.

Zelensky plans to meet Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at an international defense summit in Munich on Friday. Trump expressed his desire to end what he described as a “senseless war” causing “immense and avoidable loss of life and destruction.” While no specific date was set for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, Trump suggested they might meet in Saudi Arabia. He noted on social media that both leaders invited each other to visit their capitals.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin supports collaborative efforts to address the crisis. During their nearly hour-and-a-half-long phone call, Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow.

At a White House briefing, Trump acknowledged it is unlikely for Ukraine to regain all its pre-2014 borders but admitted some territories might eventually return. Earlier at a NATO summit, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated this stance, stating that Ukraine joining the alliance remains unlikely.

Seven European nations, including Britain, France, and Germany, issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s security and stability. They stressed that any future negotiations must include Ukraine and Europe. These countries called for robust guarantees to safeguard Ukrainian sovereignty and look forward to working closely with their American counterparts.

While the new US administration appears less supportive of Ukraine compared to its predecessor, this shift may appeal to Moscow. Despite Western assistance helping prevent Kyiv’s fall early in the invasion, securing a “just peace,” as Zelensky envisions, remains challenging.

Zelensky described his dialogue with Trump as a “thorough and meaningful exchange” covering various issues. He highlighted the need for continued engagement and noted that plans for future meetings are underway. Additionally, he met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is currently in Kyiv.

In a recent interview with The Guardian , Zelensky proposed exchanging certain Russian-held Ukrainian territories for areas controlled by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region as part of a potential peace agreement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected this proposal, stating that Russia would not negotiate over its own territory.

Zelensky further emphasized the indispensable role of the United States in any security arrangements for Ukraine. He argued that guarantees without American involvement lack credibility. Separately, Trump mentioned the impending expiration of Zelensky’s presidential term in May 2024, hinting at the possibility of elections in Ukraine. However, Zelensky contends that holding elections under martial law and amidst ongoing hostilities is impractical.

Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent military actions in eastern Ukraine, the conflict has escalated into a full-scale war. Although Russian advances on Kyiv were thwarted, significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine remain under Russian control. Both sides have engaged in retaliatory strikes, exacerbating the humanitarian toll.

Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of individuals, primarily soldiers, have been killed or wounded. Millions of Ukrainian civilians have been displaced as refugees. Secrecy maintained by both governments makes accurate casualty figures difficult to determine.