WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said that he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone Wednesday about ending the war in Ukraine and that Putin indicated he would be willing to negotiate directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“As we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social about their first known call of his second term.
“We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations,” he added. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately.”
Trump said he tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, national security adviser Michael Waltz and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with leading negotiations with Russia.
Putin adviser Dmitry Peskov said the phone conversation lasted about 90 minutes.
“The topic of the Middle East settlement, the Iranian nuclear program, and bilateral Russian-American relations in the economic area were talked about during the conversation,” he said in a statement.
Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, Peskov said, “and expressed readiness to receive American officials in Russia regarding areas of mutual interest, including, of course, the topic of Ukrainian settlement. Putin and Trump also agreed to continue personal contacts, including setting up a personal meeting.”
Trump later confirmed that he had spoken to Zelenskyy, saying in another post on Truth Social that the discussion “went very well” and that Zelenskyy also wants peace. Trump said a meeting related to the war, led by Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, would take place Friday in Munich.
“I am hopeful that the results of that meeting will be positive. It is time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!” he wrote.
Zelenskyy said on X that he had a “meaningful conversation” with Trump. “No one wants peace more than Ukraine,” he wrote. “Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace. As President Trump said, let’s get it done.”
