President Donald Trump announced today that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, with both leaders agreeing to begin peace negotiations immediately.
“We had a very good talk,” Trump told reporters at the White House following a call with Putin that reportedly lasted about 90 minutes. “People didn’t really know what President Putin’s thoughts were, but I think I can say with great confidence he wants to see it ended also.”
The announcement marks a potentially significant breakthrough in the three-year conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has claimed thousands of lives while displacing millions.
What We Know About the Agreement
According to Trump, the two leaders have agreed to:
- Have their respective teams start negotiating immediately
- Work together “very closely”
- Visit each other’s nations
- Potentially meet in Saudi Arabia for their first in-person discussion
“We’re going to work toward getting it ended as fast as possible,” Trump stated. “It’s a horrible situation going on… The cities and towns have been largely demolished. It’s a shame what’s happened to that country.”
After his conversation with Putin, Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for approximately one hour, though details of that call were less extensive in his comments.
Controversial Terms Emerge
The potential framework for peace is already generating controversy, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting that “a return to Ukraine’s pre-war borders is an unrealistic objective in peace talks, as was NATO membership for Ukraine.”
When pressed on whether Ukraine could return to its pre-2014 borders (before Russia’s annexation of Crimea), Trump echoed his Defense Secretary’s assessment:
“I think Pete said today that that’s unlikely,” Trump acknowledged. “It certainly would seem to be unlikely. They took a lot of land, and they fought for that land, and they lost a lot of soldiers.”
He did add, however, that “some of it will come back… some of that land will come back.”
Ukraine’s Role in Negotiations
Questions have emerged about Ukraine’s position in the peace process. When asked if he viewed Ukraine as an equal member in negotiations, Trump hesitated before responding:
“It’s an interesting question. I think they have to make peace. Their people are being killed, and I think they have to make peace,” he said, adding, “I said that was not a good war to go into, and I think they have to make peace.”
While ruling out NATO membership, Hegseth indicated that the U.S. recognizes Ukraine must receive “robust security guarantees” and proposed that a non-NATO mission of European and non-European peacekeepers could be deployed to Ukraine, though with “no U.S. boots on the ground.”
First Meeting Set for Friday
The first formal meeting between American and Russian delegations is scheduled for Friday in Munich, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the U.S. team.
When asked if Trump expected Ukraine to cede all disputed territory to Russia, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitz responded: “These negotiations are ongoing. I will allow the president to divulge any red lines that he may set.”
Kremlin Confirms Talks
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, “Trump spoke in favor of an early end to hostilities and a peaceful solution to the problem. President Putin for his part mentioned the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement can be achieved through peaceful negotiations.”
Securing American Investment
Trump emphasized that his administration is demanding “security” for the money the U.S. has provided to Ukraine, which he estimates totals $350 billion.
“We’re getting security on our money. We’re going to have it secured by their rare earth, oil and gas, and a lot of other things,” Trump stated, drawing a contrast with the European approach. “Europe is putting up money and they’re getting it in the form of a loan, and the United States under Biden didn’t do loans — they just handed money.”
Trump indicated that Ukraine has agreed to these terms and confirmed the U.S. would continue providing aid, but with new conditions.
Multiple Global Crises
The Ukraine breakthrough comes as the administration also addresses tensions in the Middle East. Trump recently threatened that “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas doesn’t release all remaining Israeli hostages by Saturday. Hamas responded today that Trump’s threats have “no value.”
Additionally, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), continues to make headlines with claims of uncovering “massive fraud” in federal entitlement programs including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which he describes as “the biggest fraud in U.S. history” amounting to “hundreds of billions of dollars.”
Campaign Promise Tested
During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he could end the Ukraine war “within 24 hours” if elected. Three weeks into his administration, this diplomatic initiative appears to be his first major attempt to fulfill that promise.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump’s position during their ABC News presidential debate, stating: “I believe the reason that Donald Trump says that this war would be over within 24 hours is because he would just give it up… And that’s not who we are as Americans.”
