In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have expressed their desire for peace in separate phone calls with him on Wednesday. Trump has subsequently directed top U.S. officials to commence talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged the region since 2022.
The conversations between Trump and the two leaders came shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that Kyiv would need to abandon its longstanding ambitions of joining NATO and regaining all territories lost to Russia. This marks a dramatic departure from Washington’s previous stance under the Biden administration, which provided extensive military and financial aid to Ukraine without engaging directly with the Kremlin.
Trump’s Call with Putin: A Step Towards Ceasefire
During a lengthy call with Putin that lasted over an hour, Trump revealed that the Russian leader expressed a strong desire to end the war. According to Trump, Putin emphasized that he did not want a temporary halt in hostilities, only for fighting to resume months later. This sentiment, Trump noted, aligned with his own vision for lasting peace in the region.
“He wants it to end. He doesn’t want to end it and then go back to fighting six months later,” Trump stated during a press briefing in the Oval Office. “I think we’re on the way to getting peace. I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelenskiy wants peace, and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed.”
This development comes as Trump has repeatedly claimed that he could swiftly bring an end to the conflict, though he has previously refrained from outlining the specifics of how he would achieve this.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Trump have agreed to meet, with Putin extending an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow. Trump, however, indicated that their initial meeting would most likely take place in Saudi Arabia in the near future.
Trump’s Team to Lead Peace Negotiations
In a post on his social media platform, Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff would spearhead the U.S. efforts in negotiating an end to the war. This team is set to engage in discussions with both Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, marking the first significant diplomatic effort by the U.S. since the early days of the conflict.
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump also held an hour-long call with Zelenskiy. The Ukrainian president expressed optimism about the potential for peace, noting that they discussed opportunities for collaboration, including Ukraine’s technological advancements in drones and other industries.
“I had a meaningful conversation with @POTUS. We… talked about opportunities to achieve peace, discussed our readiness to work together …and Ukraine’s technological capabilities… including drones and other advanced industries,” Zelenskiy shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Shifting Dynamics in the Ukraine Conflict
The war, now nearing its third anniversary, has seen Russia occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. Moscow has insisted that any peace agreement must include Kyiv ceding more territory and adopting a stance of permanent neutrality. On the other hand, Ukraine demands the withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories and seeks either NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent future aggression from Moscow.
European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, have voiced their intent to be involved in any future negotiations concerning Ukraine. They have emphasized that a fair agreement with solid security assurances is essential for lasting peace and have pledged to bolster their support for Ukraine to ensure it negotiates from a position of strength.
Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Blunt Statement
Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a candid assessment of the situation at a NATO meeting in Brussels. He asserted that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, which include Crimea, was an unrealistic goal and warned that pursuing this objective would only extend the war and increase human suffering.
“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 stated. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”
He further stressed that any lasting peace would require robust security guarantees to prevent future conflicts, though he ruled out the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of these assurances.
Potential Economic Collaboration Between the U.S. and Ukraine
In an attempt to maintain U.S. interest and support, Zelenskiy has proposed an economic partnership that would see the United States invest in Ukraine’s mineral resources. Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was in Kyiv on Wednesday for the first visit by a member of Trump’s cabinet, highlighted that such a deal could serve as a “security shield” for Ukraine in the post-war era.
Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements
Trump also announced that Secretary Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are set to hold further talks on the conflict during the upcoming Munich Security Conference, where Ukrainian officials are expected to be present. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to exploring diplomatic avenues for peace.
A Step Towards Trust: U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap
The renewed diplomatic efforts were preceded by a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap on Tuesday, which the Kremlin acknowledged as a positive step towards building trust between the two nations. As part of the exchange, Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been serving a 14-year prison sentence, in exchange for a Russian cybercrime boss imprisoned in the U.S.
This gesture of goodwill has added momentum to the peace process, with hopes that it will pave the way for more substantial agreements in the future.
Conclusion
As the world watches closely, the unfolding diplomatic initiatives led by Trump could mark a turning point in the Ukraine war. While challenges remain, the expressed willingness of both Putin and Zelenskiy to seek peace, coupled with active U.S. involvement, provides a glimmer of hope for an end to the conflict that has caused immense devastation and loss of life. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether these initial talks can translate into lasting peace for Ukraine and the broader region.
