Trump and Zelenskyy hold productive phone call amid ongoing tensions

Donald Trump described his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “very good,” marking their first conversation since Trump publicly criticised Zelenskyy three weeks ago.

The call took place a day after Trump’s discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who rejected a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire but agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure.

Trump reassured Zelenskyy that intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine would continue, despite Russia’s demand for its end as a condition for a full ceasefire.

Trump also mentioned the possibility of the US taking ownership of Ukraine’s power plants, though Zelenskyy did not address this in his public summary, calling the call “positive, substantive, and frank.”

I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11—this meeting of the teams significantly helped… pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to implement a 30-day pause on attacks on energy infrastructure, with hopes it would help end the war.

However, Zelenskyy later accused Russia of violating the agreement, reporting that drone attacks continued on Ukrainian energy sites just hours after Putin’s commitment.

Zelenskyy also requested additional air defence systems, including Patriot missiles, which Trump agreed to explore.

Despite diplomatic efforts, both sides face significant hurdles, including Putin’s demand for a halt to foreign military aid to Ukraine.

Trump and Zelenskyy’s call comes amid ongoing challenges in the conflict, with Ukraine losing territory in regions like Kursk.

Political analysts stress the importance of maintaining direct communication between the two leaders.

Source: ABC.