Former President Donald Trump has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to begin negotiations on the war in Ukraine “immediately” after a lengthy phone call between the two leaders. This conversation, detailed by Trump in a post on Truth Social, marks a notable shift in diplomatic discussions surrounding the conflict that has plagued Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Trump claimed that the call resulted in an agreement for both leaders to collaborate closely, which could include reciprocal visits between their countries. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately,” Trump wrote, adding that he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the conversation. He also announced that a team of senior officials—such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador Steve Witkoff—would lead the negotiations, expressing confidence in their success.
Since the war’s onset, Ukraine has relied heavily on military and financial aid from the U.S. and its European allies to counter Russian advances. However, Trump has frequently criticized Zelenskyy for not seeking negotiations with Putin sooner, claiming that the war could have been prevented with earlier talks. This stance has fueled ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy, with Trump openly questioning the extent of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Reflecting on his phone conversation with Putin, Trump highlighted the historical relationship between the United States and Russia, recalling their cooperation during World War II. He noted the immense losses both nations suffered and suggested that future cooperation could be mutually beneficial. “We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump stated. He also claimed that Putin echoed his campaign slogan, “COMMON SENSE,” signaling alignment on their views regarding the conflict.
Putin has repeatedly expressed admiration for Trump, stating in a recent interview that Trump is the right leader to “restore order” in Europe. Putin argued that Trump’s leadership would quickly bring European leaders in line, stating, “Trump, with his character and stubbornness, will restore order there quickly. Soon they will all sit at the feet of their master and gently wag their tails.”
Putin also claimed that many European countries worked against Trump’s re-election in 2020, preferring then-President Joe Biden due to his alignment with their views on social and geopolitical issues. Despite their ideological differences, Putin described Trump as a “clever and pragmatic man” who prioritized American interests above all else.
Trump has suggested that a negotiated settlement between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. may soon be possible. “We will be speaking, and I think we’ll perhaps do something that’ll be significant,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “We want to end that war. That war would have not started if I was president.” However, when asked if he had personally spoken with Putin before this announcement, Trump declined to comment, saying, “I don’t want to say that.”
During his presidency, Trump often criticized the Biden administration for dedicating substantial financial resources to Ukraine instead of pursuing diplomatic solutions. He has continued to question the rationale behind the large sums of aid sent to Kyiv, a viewpoint shared by many of his supporters. In a recent campaign speech, Trump claimed Ukraine had received over $200 billion in U.S. aid, though Zelenskyy has disputed this number.
Zelenskyy recently voiced frustration over claims regarding U.S. aid, stating, “When it is said that Ukraine received $200 billion to support the army during the war—that’s not true. I don’t know where all that money went.” He estimated that Ukraine had actually received closer to $76 billion, with most of it being military assistance rather than financial aid.
Since 2022, Congress has approved approximately $175 billion for Ukraine-related expenses, with a significant portion directed to American defense industries and U.S. government operations. As of October 2024, the U.S. had allocated about $92 billion in financial and military aid, while the European Union and the United Kingdom pledged a combined $131 billion.
Zelenskyy clarified that Ukraine has not received direct cash payments from the U.S. government, with most aid coming in the form of weapons, logistical support, and training. “There are also many other humanitarian programs I’m uninformed about, except for knowing of their existence. Perhaps the U.S. president’s administration will audit these programs and find additional billions, but I don’t know where those funds went,” he said.
Despite the heated debates surrounding financial aid, Trump remains committed to finding a diplomatic resolution to the war. His supporters argue that his approach offers a more pragmatic alternative to previous U.S. efforts, which focused on supporting Ukraine’s resistance rather than seeking a settlement.
Trump’s recent push for negotiations has sparked speculation about how his administration would handle international diplomacy if he were to return to office. Critics fear that his approach could pressure Ukraine into making concessions that favor Russia, while his allies view it as a realistic step toward de-escalation.
As U.S.-Russia talks begin, the world is closely watching to see whether Trump’s diplomatic outreach to Putin will lead to meaningful results. If successful, the negotiations could reshape the conflict and change America’s role in global peace efforts. However, the question remains: will Ukraine accept the terms that may come from these talks, or will the war continue to drag on indefinitely?