President Donald Trump has moved a step closer to positioning himself as a peace negotiator in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, confirming that he spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a series of high-level peace talks at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Trump revealed late Monday on his Truth Social platform that he had phoned Putin to initiate “the arrangements for a meeting” between the Russian leader and Zelenskyy. The announcement came just days after Trump’s high-profile Alaska summit with Putin, underscoring his determination to push forward negotiations aimed at ending a war that has dragged on for nearly four years.
“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump confirmed, echoing earlier media speculation.
The former president emphasized that the anticipated summit between the two warring presidents would be followed by a trilateral session involving himself. “After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that h
as been going on for almost four years,” Trump said.
Candid Trump-Putin Call
According to Yury Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, the Trump-Putin call lasted about 40 minutes and was described as “candid and very constructive.” Ushakov added that Putin “expressed support for direct negotiations” with Ukraine, signaling cautious optimism for progress.
This initiative has been widely covered in Trump News, where analysts noted that Trump is attempting to personally frame himself as the central figure capable of breaking the deadlock.
European Leaders Respond
During Monday’s DC peace talks, Trump met with several European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Reports suggest that Merz confirmed Putin agreed, during the Trump phone call, to meet Zelenskyy within the next two weeks.
In a hot-mic moment caught by cameras, Trump was overheard telling Macron:
“I think Putin wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.”
This remark has already sparked political debate, with critics arguing Trump is overstating his influence, while supporters say it demonstrates his ability to personally engage world leaders at the highest level.
Zelenskyy Welcomes U.S. Support
For his part, President Zelenskyy publicly thanked Trump and other leaders for their involvement in advancing peace efforts. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy said:
“Today, important negotiations took place in Washington. We discussed many issues with President Trump. It was a long and detailed conversation, including discussions about the situation on the battlefield and our steps to bring peace closer.”
Zelenskyy also highlighted humanitarian issues, such as the return of Ukrainian children and the release of prisoners of war. He stressed that a direct meeting with Putin—backed by U.S. support—would be vital to addressing “sensitive issues” that cannot be resolved through delegations alone.
The story has been featured in U.S News and World outlets, underscoring the international significance of Trump’s diplomatic push.
Ceasefire Debate
While Trump has repeatedly called for peace, he has also been firm in stating that an official ceasefire is not necessarily a prerequisite for diplomacy. During the high-stakes White House meeting, Trump insisted that progress could be made through negotiations first, while the details of a ceasefire are worked out later.
This position has divided experts, with some arguing it risks prolonging conflict, while others believe it reflects a pragmatic approach to bringing the two sides to the table.
Trump’s effort to organize a Putin-Zelenskyy summit following the Washington peace talks marks a significant escalation in his role as a self-proclaimed peace broker. With European leaders cautiously optimistic and both Moscow and Kyiv signaling limited willingness to engage, the coming weeks will determine whether Trump’s initiative represents a turning point—or another false start—in the quest to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
As global attention remains focused on the crisis, the involvement of the U.S. president once again places Washington at the center of international diplomacy. Whether this initiative succeeds or falters, it reflects the enduring influence of American leadership in resolving major global conflicts.
