Trump, Putin Discuss Ukraine War Resolution in Phone Call

MOSCOW, SUNDAY - United States President Donald Trump stated that he had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed the resolution of the Ukraine-Russia War that has been ongoing for the past three years.

The conversation marked the first direct communication between the US president and Putin since early 2022. Putin last spoke for an hour with US President Joe Biden in February 2022, shortly before he sent thousands of troops to Ukraine.

In an interview on Air Force One, Friday (2/8/2025), local time, Trump could not tell the New York Post how many times he and Putin had spoken. However, he again claimed that he always had a good relationship with Putin.

"Putin wants to see people stop dying. All those who have died. Young, young, and beautiful people. They are like your children, numbering two million – and for no reason," said Trump.

Neither the Kremlin nor the White House immediately responded to Reuters' requests for comment outside business hours.

Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine. He once boasted that he could resolve the war within 24 hours, but then changed it to six months. So far, he has also not publicly explained the method he would use.

"I hope this ends quickly. Every day people are dying. The war in Ukraine is very bad. I want to end all of this," said Trump.

Last week, Trump referred to the war as a bloodbath. Additionally, he stated that his team had engaged in some "very good" discussions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said many communications come through different channels. “I personally may not know something, not be aware of something. Therefore, in this case, I cannot confirm or deny it,” he told TASS news agency in response to the New York Post report.

The Kremlin has repeatedly urged caution over speculation about contacts with the Trump team over a possible peace deal.

Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, in his book War (2024), reported that Trump had seven direct conversations with Putin after leaving the White House in 2021. When asked if Woodward's account was accurate, Trump said, "If I'm right, that would be a smart thing." However, the Kremlin denied Woodward's report.

The meeting between Trump and Putin is not yet clear when it will take place. However, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seen by Russia as ideal locations for the summit.

"The preparations for the meeting are at an advanced stage and may take place in February or March," said Leonid Slutsky, Head of the Russian Parliament's International Affairs Committee, as quoted by the state news agency RIA, Thursday (6/2/2025).

On June 14, 2024, Putin stated the opening conditions for the war to end. Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Ukraine must also withdraw its troops from four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims and controls most of.

Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine peace deal with Trump. But he has rejected demands that Russia withdraw troops, pay compensation to Ukraine, face international justice and make territorial concessions.

Over time, Putin has continued to add challenges to the peace negotiations. He has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is no longer legitimate as president. After three years of war, Russian forces continue to make advances into Ukrainian territory.

It is no surprise that Putin is still adamant about his demands. He simply said, “if there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise solution, let whoever conducts these negotiations.”

“Engagement is not the same as negotiation. Russia’s strategy is ‘what’s mine is mine. What’s yours is up for negotiation,’” said Sir Laurie Bristow, British Ambassador to Russia from 2016-2020.

Trump and Putin last met in Helsinki, Finland, in 2018. Former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who hosted the event, said they were very different characters. “There is mutual respect. But they are not very similar. Putin is a systematic thinker while Trump acts like a businessman who makes quick decisions,” he said.

Trump has now threatened Russia with higher tariffs, sanctions and oil price cuts. Richard Connolly, a Russian military and economics expert at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said the threats would not end the war because Western countries have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia.

Trump could pressure Russia by supporting the U.S. oil industry with subsidies and lifting 10 percent trade tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing limiting economic ties with Moscow, Connolly said. “That could really isolate Russia,” he said.

Trump implied that the US-Russia peace talks did not include Ukraine. He said Zelenskyy should have made a deal with Putin to avoid war. This contradicts President Biden's position that has pushed for Kyiv's involvement.

"We cannot allow someone to decide for us. Russia wants to destroy Ukraine's freedom and independence," Zelenskyy said, arguing that such a peace deal would send a dangerous signal to countries with authoritarian leaders.

On Friday (2/7/2025), Trump said he might meet Zelenskyy next week to discuss ending the war. Zelenskyy is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference, which will also include Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg. Trump did not attend.

On the other hand, Putin is also not under domestic political pressure to end the war. Nevertheless, Russia has also suffered many casualties. Its economy is also dragged down due to economic sanctions from Western countries.

Meanwhile, Kyiv is struggling with a shortage of troops and weapons. With many of his “America First” policies, Trump could soon cut off military aid to Ukraine.

Trump has said he wants to reach a $500 million deal with Zelenskyy for access to minerals and rare earths in Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement. Zelenskyy is willing to negotiate. (AP/AFP/Reuters)