Trump takes first step toward ending Ukraine war with Putin, Zelensky talks
Donald Trump discussed the war in Ukraine on Wednesday in phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The move is marking a significant first step by the new American president toward diplomacy in a war he pledged to end, according to france24.com
Trump stated that he and Putin "agreed to have teams begin negotiations immediately, and we will start by calling President Zelensky of Ukraine to inform him about the conversation, which I will do right now."
Zelensky’s office reported that Trump and Zelensky spoke by phone for about an hour.
"I just spoke with Donald Trump. A long conversation. We discussed the possibilities of achieving peace, our desire to work together, and our technological capabilities, including drones and other modern products," Zelensky said after the call.
"Ukraine seeks peace more than anyone else. We are defining our common steps with America to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting and dependable peace," he added.
The Kremlin stated that Putin and Trump agreed to meet, with Putin inviting Trump to visit Moscow.
Trump has long claimed he would swiftly end the war in Ukraine, though he has not outlined how he would accomplish this.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump's Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, stated that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, and the American administration does not view Ukraine’s NATO membership as part of a solution to the war.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
