The Kremlin stated on Tuesday that Donald Trump communicated to Vladimir Putin his desire for a quick resolution to the war in Ukraine, a conflict that would pave the way for the full restoration of diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported to have supported this perspective during the hour-long phone conversation.
The discussion followed a weekend diplomatic mission to Moscow and Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were tasked with reviving stalled negotiations aimed at halting the fighting. While their efforts did not yield an immediate public breakthrough, the envoys raised the possibility of restarting three-way talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the Russian side rated the US envoys’ weekend diplomacy positively. He revealed that Putin provided Trump with a battlefield assessment and outlined measures Moscow believed Washington could take to facilitate an end to the conflict.
According to Ushakov, Trump emphasized the importance of concluding the war as soon as possible, arguing that a swift peace would create impressive and far-reaching opportunities for rebuilding relations. The aide added that Trump viewed this outcome as particularly beneficial for trade and economic ties, promising substantial gains for both countries, and that Putin agreed with this approach.
Despite these diplomatic overtures, significant gaps remain between Moscow and Kyiv regarding how to end the war, which stands as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Both sides have recently intensified their attacks on one another, with Russia continuing to bombard Kyiv after a brief three-day pause linked to the US envoy visits.
Ushakov also mentioned that the leaders agreed on the necessity of continuing prisoner exchanges. Addressing European concerns, he stated that Putin made it clear Russia has no hostile intentions toward the continent, dismissing claims of an aggressive Russian threat as myths designed to justify increased European military spending and support for Ukraine.
The mention of prisoner exchanges is the only concrete positive takeaway here. Let’s hope that continues despite the bombing.
Did Putin really agree to Trump’s terms? Feels like a tall order given the current battlefield dynamics.
I hope this peace push actually leads to something real, not just another photo op before the next escalation.