Washington — On Wednesday, President Trump stated that he had a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin and instructed his national security team to initiate negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
This conversation marks the first known dialogue between Trump and Putin since the former returned to the presidency for a second term, following Russia’s recent release of Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel, who was serving a 14-year sentence and was acknowledged as wrongfully detained.
“I just had a lengthy and productive call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We covered various topics including Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and the strength of the Dollar.”
He noted the potential benefits they could eventually achieve by collaborating and emphasized the consensus on the importance of ending the conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders also expressed intentions to visit each other’s countries.
Trump specified he had tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff to spearhead the negotiations. He also mentioned plans to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to brief him on the conversation with Putin.
“Millions have perished in a conflict that would not have occurred had I been in office, but it has happened, and it needs to come to an end. We cannot allow more lives to be lost!” he stated.
