In a significant shift in US foreign policy, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a 90-minute phone call to begin immediate negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump described the conversation as “highly productive” and revealed that he and Putin are committed to working together to bring the conflict to an end.
“We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together,” Trump said in a social media post.
Trump further emphasised that the two leaders agreed to meet in person, potentially in each other’s countries, with the main goal being to stop the ongoing fatalities in Ukraine.
“But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine,” he said.
Following the call, Trump appointed key officials, including Senator Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, to lead the negotiations. White House officials, however, did not clarify if Ukraine would directly participate in the talks.
The phone call came after a prisoner swap between the two countries, with Russia releasing American schoolteacher Marc Fogel in exchange for Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik.
WELCOME HOME, MARC!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2025pic.twitter.com/0b2Igcqudp
The call is seen as part of Trump’s broader effort to challenge current US policies on the Ukraine war, particularly those of former US President Joe Biden.
Trump’s call for an end to the conflict came as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and that a negotiated peace settlement should be prioritised.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed willingness to work with Trump, despite the shift in direction.
“I am grateful to President Trump,” Zelensky posted on social media, highlighting discussions about potential peace opportunities.
Putin, in turn, invited Trump to visit Moscow and offered to host US officials for further talks on issues of mutual interest, including Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Trump continued to emphasise the urgency of bringing the war to a close and ensuring a peaceful settlement, supported by the release of Fogel and Vinnik.
Source: AFR.
