Former US President Donald Trump has taken a significant step towards diplomacy in the Russia-Ukraine war, engaging in phone calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This move marks the first major attempt at diplomatic solutions since Trump promised to end the conflict upon entering office.

Trump-Putin Call: Focused on Peace and Future Meeting

Trump described his conversation with Putin as “lengthy and highly productive,” lasting over an hour. The two leaders discussed a range of topics, including Ukraine, the Middle East, artificial intelligence, and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed the call, stating that Putin and Trump had agreed to work together towards a long-term solution for the conflict.

A key outcome of the call was an agreement to meet in person, possibly in Saudi Arabia. The Kremlin extended an invitation to Trump to visit Moscow, further signaling a thawing in relations.

“We want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump stated, using an unconfirmed figure for the death toll.

He added: “We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations,” highlighting the significance of this renewed dialogue.

Trump also emphasized the need for immediate negotiations, stating: “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately” on Ukraine.

Conversations with Zelensky: Focusing on Peace and US Support

Following his call with Putin, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, informing him of the conversation and outlining their shared desire for peace. Zelensky confirmed the call, describing it as “meaningful” and focusing on finding ways to end Russia’s invasion.

He expressed his gratitude for Trump’s interest in collaborating with Ukraine, indicating the importance of maintaining US support in this ongoing conflict.

Hope for a Breakthrough Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Despite the positive developments, the war in Ukraine continues to rage on, with Russia launching fresh attacks on Kyiv just hours after Zelensky proposed exchanging occupied land. These attacks highlight the complexities of the situation and the long road ahead for achieving a lasting peace.

However, Trump’s engagement with both Putin and Zelensky offers a glimmer of hope for a diplomatic breakthrough, potentially paving the way for a negotiated settlement.

Stay tuned for further developments in this evolving situation.