In a significant diplomatic shift, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have engaged in a lengthy discussion, signaling a potential path toward negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict.
Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, described the call as “lengthy and highly productive,” emphasizing that both leaders had extended invitations to visit each other’s nations. He further noted that he would be reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately to inform him of their conversation.
The Kremlin, in a separate statement, confirmed that the conversation lasted 90 minutes, with both leaders acknowledging that the “time has come” for collaboration between Washington and Moscow. Putin reportedly expressed optimism about achieving a long-term resolution to the war triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and invited Trump to visit Moscow.
The call follows a high-profile prisoner exchange earlier this week, in which Moscow released U.S. teacher Marc Fogel, while Washington freed Russian cryptocurrency entrepreneur Alexander Vinnik.
In his Truth Social post, Trump lauded Putin, highlighting that the Russian leader had even echoed his campaign slogan, “COMMON SENSE.”
“We both agree—the senseless loss of millions of lives in the Russia-Ukraine war must end,” Trump stated, citing an unverified death toll.
He added that they had reached a mutual understanding to commence immediate peace negotiations, with plans for direct engagement between both nations’ diplomatic teams.
“We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and I will be calling President Zelensky right now to update him on our discussion,” Trump said.
As part of his diplomatic initiative, Trump announced that key U.S. officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—would spearhead the negotiation efforts.
With this high-stakes dialogue, both Washington and Moscow appear to be setting the stage for a potential breakthrough in the long-running conflict, though its outcome remains uncertain.
