Donald Trump dials Vladimir Putin first time after US presidential polls

Trump, Putin discuss Russia-Ukraine war, European peace

US President-elect Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since his victory in the 2024 US presidential election, engaging in a telephone conversation that focused primarily on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the broader European security situation.

According to a report from The Washington Post, the conversation took place after Putin expressed his willingness to engage in discussions aimed at restoring US-Russia relations and working toward ending the war in Ukraine. While the call has not been officially confirmed by either the US or Russia, sources familiar with the matter revealed details to the newspaper.

The conversation centered on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Trump reportedly advising Putin not to escalate the war further. Trump also reminded the Russian leader of the strong US military presence in Europe, emphasizing the potential consequences of further aggression. Trump is said to have expressed his interest in continuing the dialogue with Putin, to find a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Washington Post cited a source familiar with the call who said the two leaders discussed the overarching goal of peace on the European continent, with Trump signaling a desire for follow-up talks to discuss potential solutions to the war.

The timing of the call is significant, as Trump is set to take office on January 20, 2025. According to the report, Trump is particularly keen on avoiding entering the White House with a new crisis in Ukraine. One former US official, speaking anonymously, suggested that Trump’s outreach to Putin was motivated by a desire to prevent further escalation, which could complicate his upcoming presidency.

“Trump likely does not want to enter office with a fresh crisis in Ukraine prompted by Russian escalation, which gives him the incentive to want to keep the war from worsening,” the official said.

The call between Trump and Putin took place while Trump was at his Florida resort, according to The Washington Post. However, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, declined to comment on the call, saying, “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders,” when approached by AFP for clarification.

Ukraine has reportedly been informed of the conversation between the two leaders, although further details of their discussions remain scarce.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, the international community will be watching closely to see if Trump’s potential future involvement will influence efforts to bring the conflict to a close.

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