U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to begin talks with Ukraine to bring an immediate halt to the conflict.
This announcement came after a phone conversation between the two leaders, where Putin agreed to have their respective representatives meet for discussions.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share this major news.
According to him, the talks could pave the way toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has devastated both countries.
Following this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he also spoke to Trump over the phone, where they discussed the possibility of lasting and dependable peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelensky expressed optimism about the conversation, calling it a step in the right direction.
Before this, both Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense had already made it clear that Ukraine would not be joining NATO, a topic that has been a contentious point throughout the conflict.
Zelensky mentioned another important update: a defense summit focused on Ukraine is set to take place this Friday in Munich.
He will be attending the meeting and is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss further steps toward peace and defense strategies.
Trump`s Message on Ending the War
On Truth Social, Trump made a clear call for peace.
He wrote, "This war needs to end now. It has caused massive destruction and claimed many lives. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine."
This message has resonated with many who hope for a speedy resolution.
Though Trump didn`t mention when he plans to meet with Putin face-to-face, he later told reporters that the meeting would likely take place in Saudi Arabia.
This adds an interesting layer to the ongoing negotiations, as Saudi Arabia has remained neutral throughout the conflict.
In a conversation with reporters at the White House, Trump added, "It is unlikely that Ukraine will regain its pre-2014 borders," but noted, "Some territories may come back to them." This statement reflects the ongoing challenge of reconciling territorial disputes, a major sticking point in the war.
Regarding Ukraine`s potential NATO membership, which has been a flashpoint throughout the conflict, the U.S. Secretary of Defense made it clear that this is not currently on the table.
Trump agreed, saying, "I think that is probably true."
Russia`s Response
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin was on the same page as Trump regarding the need for immediate action.
According to Peskov, the two leaders spoke for about an hour and a half.
Putin also extended a personal invitation for Trump to visit Russia, which could signify a further step toward resolving the situation diplomatically.
Ukraine`s Position
Zelensky also offered positive remarks about his conversation with Trump. He explained that they had a very productive, hour-long talk, covering many critical issues related to peace and the future of the region.
Zelensky stated, "Ukraine wants peace, more than anyone else. Our next step will be to work with the United States to stop Russian aggression. We seek lasting peace."
He reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the dialogue open and continuing talks with Trump.
In an interview with The Guardian, Zelensky also made an intriguing remark about territorial negotiations.
He said, "Ukraine will return the occupied land of Kursk if Russia returns the Ukrainian territories it has occupied." However, the Kremlin quickly dismissed this notion, with Peskov stating, "That is not possible."
What This Means
This latest phone conversation between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky marks a potential turning point in the conflict.
With both sides now at least discussing talks, the possibility of peace feels closer than before.
Yet, there are still many hurdles to overcome, particularly regarding territorial disputes and security guarantees.
Both Trump and Putin seem committed to finding a resolution, while Zelensky continues to push for peace but is determined to secure Ukraine`s interests in the negotiations.
Source: DW Bengali
-20250321131424.jpg)
-20250321112258.webp)
