United States President Donald Trump has announced a potential breakthrough in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, revealing that he had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin about initiating peace talks. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy desire peace and that discussions would commence immediately.
Trump said he spent over an hour on the phone with Putin, where they discussed the prospects of ending the war. He described the conversation as productive, stating, “I think we’re on the way to getting peace.” He also confirmed a follow-up conversation with Zelenskyy but remained vague on whether Ukraine would have equal participation in negotiations.
“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, so that’s good – and we’re going to work toward getting it ended and as fast as possible,” Trump said.
The US president further mentioned that he and Putin agreed to “work together very closely” and that they would begin negotiations immediately. He hinted at a possible in-person meeting with Putin, potentially in Saudi Arabia.
When asked about Ukraine’s involvement as an equal participant in peace talks, Trump’s response was noncommittal: “Interesting question. I think they have to make peace.” This has raised concerns that the US and Russia may negotiate without Kyiv’s direct involvement, a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s stance, which emphasized Ukraine’s full participation in any diplomatic resolution.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, acknowledged Trump’s call and expressed gratitude for the US’s role in seeking peace. “We believe that America’s strength, together with Ukraine and all of our partners, is enough to push Russia to peace,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
However, Mariia Zolkina, a security analyst, warned that the significance of the call should not be overstated. “Trump is not following his presidential electoral promises, where he said he would be putting pressure on both sides,” she said. “We don’t see any pressure on Russia but rather sympathizing and soft rhetoric about finding common ground.”
In another major development, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a NATO meeting in Brussels that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO were unrealistic.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” Hegseth said. He warned that pursuing NATO membership for Ukraine would only prolong the war and increase suffering.
Trump later echoed this sentiment, stating, “I don’t think it’s practical to have it, personally.” His remarks contrast sharply with the Biden administration’s previous assertion that Ukraine’s NATO membership was “inevitable.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin and Trump discussed various geopolitical issues, with Ukraine being the main focus. Peskov stated that Trump advocated for a quick cessation of hostilities, and Putin agreed that a long-term settlement could be reached through negotiations.
However, some NATO leaders voiced skepticism about the new US stance. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called it “regrettable” that Trump’s administration appeared to be making concessions to Russia even before peace talks had begun. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu also expressed concerns, warning that NATO was at a “moment of truth” regarding its long-term strength and unity.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kyiv on Wednesday, marking the first cabinet-level visit from Trump’s administration. Reports suggest that Ukraine may offer access to its mineral resources, including rare earth elements, in exchange for continued US military aid.
While Trump has suggested that aid to Ukraine will continue, the visit indicates a shift toward securing economic benefits for the US in return.
With Trump pushing for rapid peace talks and signaling a shift away from unconditional support for Ukraine, the future of the conflict remains uncertain. While Russia appears open to discussions, concerns persist over whether Ukraine will have an equal voice in negotiations and what compromises might be made.
As diplomatic moves accelerate, the world watches to see if Trump’s approach will bring a lasting peace or reshape global alliances in unexpected ways.
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