U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly engaged in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to the New York Post, this marks the first confirmed direct dialogue between a U.S. president and Putin since early 2022.
Former President Trump, who has vowed to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has yet to publicly outline his strategy for achieving this goal. Last week, he characterised the war as a “bloodbath” and noted that his team had engaged in “some very good talks.”
During an interview on Air Force One on Friday, Trump responded to the New York Post’s inquiry about the number of conversations he has had with Putin by stating, “better not say.”
Trump stated in an interview with the New York Post that “He (Putin) wants to see people stop dying.” The White House declined to comment when approached outside of regular business hours.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed the TASS state news agency that “many different communications are emerging.”
“These communications occur via various channels,” Peskov stated in response to a TASS inquiry regarding the New York Post report. “I might not possess knowledge about certain matters or may be oblivious to specific information.” In this instance, I am unable to provide confirmation or denial.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine commenced in 2014, following the ousting of a pro-Russian president during Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russia. This situation has led to ongoing hostilities between Russian-backed separatist forces and Ukraine’s military.
In 2022, President Putin deployed thousands of troops to Ukraine, describing the action as a “special military operation.” He claimed the mission aimed to safeguard Russian speakers in Ukraine and address what he characterised as a significant threat to Russia posed by the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.
Ukraine, alongside its Western allies spearheaded by the United States, has characterised the invasion as a classic imperial land grab and has committed to overcoming Russian military forces.
Moscow has seized a significant portion of Ukraine, comparable in size to the American state of Virginia, and is making rapid advances reminiscent of the initial phases of the 2022 invasion.
TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT?
Former President Trump, known for his 1987 publication “Trump: the Art of the Deal,” has consistently expressed his desire to end the ongoing conflict. He has indicated plans to discuss the matter with President Putin, although specifics regarding the timing or location of such a summit remain undisclosed.
According to a report by Reuters earlier this month, Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential locations for an upcoming summit.
On June 14, President Putin outlined his initial conditions for a swift conclusion to the conflict: Ukraine is required to abandon its aspirations for NATO membership and to pull back its military forces from all areas of four Ukrainian regions that are claimed and predominantly governed by Russia.
In November, Reuters revealed that President Putin is willing to engage in discussions regarding a peace agreement for Ukraine with former President Trump. However, he rejects making significant territorial concessions and demands that Kyiv relinquish its aspirations to join NATO.
The Kremlin has consistently called for restraint regarding speculation surrounding potential communications with the Trump team concerning a possible peace agreement.
Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the Russian parliament’s international affairs committee, was quoted by the state RIA news agency on Thursday, indicating that preparations for a potential meeting are currently at “an advanced stage.” He suggested that the meeting could occur in February or March.
In February 2022, just before the deployment of thousands of troops into Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin last communicated with former U.S. President Joe Biden. The Kremlin reported that the two leaders conversed for approximately one hour.
In his 2024 book “War,” Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward reveals that former President Trump engaged in direct conversations with Vladimir Putin as many as seven times following his departure from the White House in 2021.
In a previous interview with Bloomberg, Trump was questioned about the claim’s veracity, to which he responded, “If I did, it’s a smart thing.” The Kremlin has refuted the claims made in Woodward’s report.
On Friday, Trump indicated that he is likely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy next week to discuss potential avenues for ending the ongoing war.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump asserted that he has “always had a good relationship with Putin” and revealed that he possesses a definitive strategy to end the ongoing conflict. However, he refrained from providing additional information.
“I hope it’s fast,” Trump remarked. Daily, lives are being lost. The situation in Ukraine is dire due to the ongoing conflict. “I want to put an end to this situation.”
