US President, Donald Trump has announced on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire “and, more importantly, an end to the war.”
He made this announcement after a two-hour call with Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Trump asserted that the conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, “as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
He added that the “tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.”
“Russia wants to do large scale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”
Donald Trump
He also said that Ukraine “can be a great beneficiary on Trade.”
The US President disclosed that he immediately informed the following leaders about the contents of the call after it ended: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!”
Donald Trump
The call with Putin marks the third known time the two leaders have spoken by phone since Trump was inaugurated in January and comes as the US President has grown increasingly frustrated with the Russian President’s refusal to strike a peace deal with Ukraine.
Stating that the call was “excellent,” he added, “If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.”
The conversations came after the White House said that the U.S. leader has grown “frustrated” with both leaders over the continuing war in Ukraine.
On his part, Putin said that the conversation with Trump was “frank and substantive.”
A Russian news agency reported that Putin “expressed his position on the ceasefire during the conversation.”
Putin thanked Trump for US support in “resuming the direct talks between Russia and Ukraine,” following the high stakes phone call.
“The US President expressed his position on the secession of hostilities, ceasefire, and from my end, I have emphasized that Russia stands for peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. We just need to outline the most effective routes of moving towards peace.”
Vladimir Putin
Russia Ready To Continue Discussing End To War
Moreover, Putin said that Russia was ready to continue discussing an end to the fighting, but he indicated there was no major breakthrough in what he termed a “very informative and very frank” conversation with Trump.
Putin added that the warring countries should “find compromises that would suit all parties.”
Moscow, he said, will “propose and is ready to work with” Ukraine on a “memorandum” outlining the framework for “a possible future peace treaty.”
“At the same time, I would like to note that, in general, Russia’s position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”
Vladimir Putin
Trump has struggled to end a war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
That makes these conversations a serious test of his reputation as a deal maker after having claimed he would quickly settle the conflict once he was back in the White House, if not even before he took office.
Trump expressed his hopes for a “productive day” and a ceasefire but ahead of the call, Vice President JD Vance said that Trump is “more than open” to walking away from trying to end the war if he feels Putin isn’t serious about negotiation.
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