President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin that ending the war in Ukraine quickly could clear the way for a broad restoration of U.S.-Russia relations, including expanded trade and economic ties, according to the Kremlin.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
President Donald Trump pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to bring the war in Ukraine to a swift conclusion, telling the Russian leader that a settlement could open the door to restoring relations between Washington and Moscow, according to the Kremlin.
The two presidents spoke by phone following a weekend of renewed U.S. diplomatic activity in Moscow and Kyiv, where American peace negotiators held talks aimed at finding a path toward ending the conflict.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump and Putin discussed the results of those meetings and viewed the latest diplomatic effort positively. Ushakov said both leaders rated the negotiators’ visits “with a plus sign.”
Putin also outlined what he believes Washington could do to help bring the conflict to an end and gave Trump his assessment of current battlefield conditions, according to Ushakov.
The Russian president additionally told Trump that Moscow has no hostile intentions toward Europe, Ushakov said.
Trump, however, focused heavily on the prospects that could follow a peace agreement, presenting an end to the war as a potential turning point in relations between the United States and Russia.
“Donald Trump clearly emphasized the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up prospects — impressive and far-reaching ones at that — for the full restoration of relations between the U.S. and Russia,” Ushakov said.
“In his view, this would have a particular impact on trade and economic ties, promising enormous benefits for both countries. Donald Trump is keen to see a breakthrough achieved during his presidency. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach.”
The Kremlin characterized Tuesday’s conversation as constructive but provided few details about the specific proposals discussed or what concessions either side might consider necessary to reach an agreement.
The call followed separate weekend discussions involving U.S. negotiators and officials in both Russia and Ukraine. Those meetings did not produce an immediate breakthrough, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that the American delegation had presented several ideas he considered worth pursuing.
Russia and Ukraine nevertheless remain divided over fundamental issues surrounding any settlement, including the status of Ukrainian territory claimed by Moscow.
Trump and Putin also agreed during Tuesday’s conversation that prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine should continue, Ushakov said.
Ushakov declined to disclose additional details from the call but said the presidents agreed to remain in contact and hold another telephone conversation if circumstances require it.
The discussion represents the latest effort by the Trump administration to revive negotiations aimed at ending a war that has continued for more than four years.
Trump’s message to Putin tied progress on Ukraine directly to the future of relations between Washington and Moscow, with the president arguing that a peace agreement could create substantial new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.
Putin supported that general approach, according to the Kremlin, although no agreement or timetable for ending the conflict was announced.
The two leaders instead agreed to maintain direct communication as U.S. diplomats continue efforts to narrow the remaining differences between Moscow and Kyiv.
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