Trump and Putin agree to initiate peace talks on Ukraine war

Trump talks to Putin, says Ukraine ‘unlikely’ to get back land

US President Donald Trump announced a “lengthy and highly productive” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. During the call, both leaders agreed to initiate negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that both sides had agreed to “have our respective teams start negotiations immediately.” He also noted that he and Putin extended mutual invitations to visit each other’s capitals.

Zelensky engages in talks on lasting peace

Following Trump’s discussion with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he had spoken with Trump regarding a “lasting, reliable peace.”

As diplomatic conversations continued, Trump and his defense secretary emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership remained unlikely, a stance expected to disappoint Kyiv.

Zelensky also announced plans to meet with US Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a defense summit in Munich on Friday.

Trump calls for an end to the war

Trump shared his views on the war in a social media post, writing:
“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!”

While no official date was set for an in-person meeting with Putin, Trump later informed reporters at the White House that a meeting would take place in Saudi Arabia.

Kremlin backs Trump’s proposal for talks

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin welcomed Trump’s initiative for dialogue. The conversation between the two leaders lasted approximately 90 minutes, during which Putin extended an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow.

During the White House briefing, Trump also remarked that it was unlikely Ukraine would fully regain its pre-2014 borders. However, in response to a question, he stated that “some of that land will come back.”

Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, echoed this view earlier in the day at a NATO summit, asserting that Ukraine’s accession to NATO was improbable. Trump agreed, saying, “I think that’s probably true.”

UK reaffirms support for Ukraine

Despite shifting US policy, the UK government reiterated its commitment to Ukraine’s defense. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said that the UK’s support for Kyiv remained “steadfast.”

Ukraine responds to peace negotiations

Zelensky, who was not involved in the Trump-Putin call, has repeatedly insisted that “there can be no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine.” Nevertheless, he described his own conversation with Trump as a “good and detailed discussion” covering multiple issues.

Zelensky also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is currently visiting Kyiv. He stressed Ukraine’s desire for peace, writing:
“No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Together with the US, we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace.”

He confirmed that further talks were planned.

Debate over territorial concessions

In an interview published by The Guardian, Zelensky suggested that a potential peace agreement could involve a territorial exchange—Russian-controlled land in Ukraine for Ukrainian-controlled land in Russia’s western Kursk region.

However, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov dismissed the idea as “impossible,” stating:
“Russia has never discussed and will not discuss the exchange of its territory. Ukrainian units will be expelled from this territory. All who are not destroyed will be expelled.”

Zelensky also emphasized that the US, rather than just European nations, must be part of any security guarantees for Ukraine.

“Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees,” he said.

Ukraine’s Presidential election and legitimacy concerns

Separately, Trump commented that “at some point you’re going to have an election” in Ukraine, referring to the scheduled expiration of Zelensky’s presidential term in May 2024.

However, Zelensky has argued that due to the ongoing war and martial law, a new presidential election is currently unfeasible. Russian officials, including Putin, have repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.

Conflict background and ongoing battles

Following the 2014 ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Moscow annexed Crimea and supported separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion, escalating the conflict into an all-out war.

Although Russia failed to capture Kyiv, its military now controls approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory in the east and south. Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched counterattacks, including drone and artillery strikes, as well as an offensive in Russia’s Kursk region.

Exact casualty figures remain unclear due to secrecy from both sides, but estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded. Additionally, millions of Ukrainian civilians have fled their homes as refugees.

What’s next?

• The Trump-Putin peace process is expected to move forward, but Ukraine’s role remains unclear.
• Zelensky continues pushing for stronger Western backing, while Russia remains firm on its territorial claims.
• The upcoming defense summit in Munich will be critical in shaping the next phase of diplomatic efforts.

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