Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a lengthy phone conversation on Wednesday, during which they discussed the possibility of peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin confirmed.
This marks the first officially confirmed contact between the two leaders since Trump left office, and comes as the Republican advocates for an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict.
Putin Open to Negotiations, But With Conditions
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the discussion lasted nearly one-and-a-half hours, during which both leaders acknowledged that a long-term settlement could be reached through diplomatic efforts.
“President Putin … agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be reached through peace negotiations,” Peskov said.
“President Trump spoke in favour of stopping hostilities as soon as possible and solving the problem by peaceful means.”
However, Putin stressed that any resolution must address the root causes of the conflict, though Peskov did not elaborate on what those conditions might be.
Trump Calls for Immediate Peace Talks
Following the call, Trump described the conversation as “lengthy and highly productive” in a post on his Truth Social platform. He stated that both leaders had agreed to “immediately” begin negotiations.
The former U.S. president has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Ukraine war, claiming that if he were in office, the war “would never have happened” and that he could bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table within days.
Other Topics Discussed
Beyond Ukraine, Putin and Trump also discussed:
- Prisoner exchanges between Russia and the U.S.
- Iran’s nuclear program and regional stability
- The broader situation in the Middle East
Putin Extends Invitation to Trump
The Kremlin also confirmed that Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, though no further details were provided on whether Trump had accepted or planned to make the trip.
Implications of the Call
The call between Putin and Trump comes at a crucial moment, as Ukraine struggles with ongoing military challenges and dwindling Western support. Trump’s willingness to negotiate directly with Putin could signal a major shift in U.S. foreign policy should he return to the White House.
For now, the prospect of formal peace talks remains uncertain, as Ukraine’s government has maintained that any negotiations must include the full withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories—a condition Russia has previously rejected.
As diplomatic tensions continue, the global response to this latest development will likely shape the next steps in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
