WASHINGTON — In a significant shift from previous U.S. policy, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had come to an agreement to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, following a notable prisoner exchange.
In a post on social media, Trump revealed that he and Putin engaged in an extensive phone conversation during which they pledged to collaborate closely to end hostilities. The two leaders are expected to meet face-to-face soon, possibly in each other’s nations.
The extent of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s involvement in these discussions remains uncertain. Trump had a dialogue with Zelenskyy the same day, as noted by Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn, who characterized the communication as positive.
Contrarily, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that NATO membership for Ukraine is unlikely, suggesting that European nations would need to take responsibility for providing security assurances to Ukraine. The Biden administration, along with NATO allies, had previously asserted since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 that Ukraine’s membership was a matter of inevitability.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in extensive discussions, stating, “It’s time to stop this ridiculous war.” Furthermore, she described the calls between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy as “very positive.” However, when questioned about Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership, Leavitt mentioned she had not discussed it with Trump.
Leavitt also noted that Trump views Putin and Russia as a “great competitor” in the region, sometimes an adversary, but emphasized Trump’s willingness to find common ground while ensuring a demonstration of strength.
This week, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Trump’s special envoy for Russia-Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany, which Zelenskyy is also set to attend. The discussions are slated to continue during that time.
Trump’s recent announcement signifies a departure from the previous administration’s principle that Ukraine should have a key role in any discussions affecting it. Under Biden, officials frequently stressed the importance of “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
The recent call between Trump and Putin followed a significant prisoner exchange where Russia released American educator Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned for over three years, in return for the convicted Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik.
Trump noted in his social media post that their conversation highlighted the strengths of their respective nations and the potential benefits of cooperation. Both leaders expressed a mutual desire to halt the escalating death toll from the conflict.
Trump stated they had also agreed to have their teams commence negotiations immediately and indicated that he would inform Zelenskyy about their discussions. He assigned significant figures, including Rubio, CIA chief John Ratcliffe, national security advisor Michael Waltz, and Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff, to lead these negotiations.
White House representatives later refrained from clarifying whether Ukraine would be directly involved in the U.S. negotiations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that the discussion between Trump and Putin encompassed various topics, including the Middle East and Iran, but predominantly focused on Ukraine. He mentioned that Trump called for a swift end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution, while Putin underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Peskov relayed that Putin supported Trump’s assertion regarding the necessity of the two nations working collaboratively and extended an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow, expressing readiness to welcome U.S. officials in Russia for discussions encompassing mutual interests, particularly regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy attempted to maintain a positive outlook amidst what appears to be a considerable letdown for many in Ukraine. He shared on social media that his conversation with Trump was meaningful, touching on chances for achieving peace and Ukraine’s readiness to collaborate on various fronts, including technological advancements like drones.
Expressing gratitude to President Trump, he remains hopeful about the outcomes of their dialogues.
The White House characterized the prisoner exchange as an indication of a thaw in diplomatic relations that could pave the way for negotiations to end the hostilities in Ukraine. However, Leavitt did not specify if the discussions surrounding the prisoner swap included references to Ukraine.
Fogel, a history teacher wrongfully detained by Russia, was arrested in August 2021 for marijuana possession and had been serving a 14-year sentence. His case had been omitted from previous negotiations conducted by the Biden administration.
On the other hand, Alexander Vinnik was apprehended in Greece in 2017 at the behest of the U.S. on charges of cryptocurrency fraud and was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy last year. He currently awaits transfer back to Russia, as confirmed by U.S. officials.
Trump welcomed Fogel back to the United States at the White House, following Fogel’s arrival on Witkoff’s private aircraft. When asked on Wednesday if he had discussed Fogel’s situation with Putin, Trump refrained from providing specific details regarding the nature of U.S. concessions for Fogel’s release.
In comments to reporters earlier, Trump expressed the belief that Fogel’s return might contribute to establishing a peace framework for Ukraine, saying, “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”
