Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had a “lengthy” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the Russian leader allegedly agreed to “immediately” begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, emphasizing that the discussion was productive and could pave the way for peace.
In his statement, Trump claimed that Putin expressed willingness to work closely with the U.S. on finding a resolution. “We had a very good call, a strong call,” Trump wrote. “President Putin and I agreed that peace in Ukraine must come immediately. Negotiations will begin right away.” He also mentioned that he would soon call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the conversation.
As part of the diplomatic efforts, Trump has appointed a team to lead negotiations, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The group will be responsible for facilitating dialogue between Russia and Ukraine in hopes of reaching a settlement.
During the call, Trump and Putin reportedly reflected on historical ties between the U.S. and Russia, particularly their alliance in World War II. Trump claimed that Putin even referenced his campaign slogan, “Common Sense,” when discussing the urgency of ending the war. “It’s time for common sense to prevail,” Trump quoted Putin as saying.
The White House is yet to release a statement confirming or elaborating on Trump’s claims. The Biden administration has maintained a firm stance on supporting Ukraine’s defense, providing military aid and backing its sovereignty in the ongoing war. Some analysts question whether Trump’s reported negotiations could align with official U.S. foreign policy.
The Russia-Ukraine war has been ongoing since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and significant geopolitical tensions between Western nations and Russia. Despite multiple diplomatic efforts, no peace agreement has been reached.
Trump has frequently criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the war, arguing that the conflict would not have escalated under his presidency. “This war should have never happened, and under my leadership, it wouldn’t have,” Trump has often said. His latest conversation with Putin signals an attempt to position himself as a potential peace negotiator ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
