Trump, Putin agree to start negotiations to end Ukraine war

• U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia has agreed to start immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, following a productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking Trump’s first known conversation with Putin since taking office.
• Trump indicated a potential meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia, while the Kremlin confirmed the call lasted about an hour and a half and that Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow.
• Following the call with Putin, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and both leaders agreed on the necessity for peace negotiations, with Zelensky expressing optimism but maintaining Ukraine’s stance on territorial integrity.
• The Trump administration’s efforts faced criticism, particularly from Ukrainian officials who are concerned about the potential for Russian manipulation of the peace process and wary of giving Putin a diplomatic victory.
• Seven European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for Ukraine and Europe to be central in negotiations, calling for strong security guarantees for Ukraine and expressing a desire to coordinate with American allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Feb. 12 that Russia has agreed to “start negotiations immediately” to end the war in Ukraine, following a lengthy and productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The call marks Trump’s first known conversation with Putin since taking office and comes amid ongoing tensions and international scrutiny over the conflict.

“I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social. “First, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.”

Later, at the White House, Trump elaborated that he may soon meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia, though no exact timeline was provided. The Russian side, through Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the call lasted about an hour and a half and that Putin extended an invitation to Trump to visit Moscow. (Related: Trump and Putin agree to Ukraine peace talks, with potential meeting in Saudi Arabia.)

Trump’s outreach to Putin was immediately followed by a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which both leaders agreed on the need for peace negotiations. In a subsequent post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Zelensky was also keen on negotiating a peace agreement.

The Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts have not been without controversy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at a meeting with Ukraine’s international backers in Belgium, reiterated the administration’s push for an end to the war but also pushed back on Ukraine’s ambitions to retake all lost territory and join NATO. Trump later echoed these sentiments, saying, “It is unlikely that Ukraine will return to its pre-2014 borders.”

Zelensky, in a post on social media platform X, expressed optimism about the negotiations, stating, “No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace.” However, he also noted that Ukraine would not give up on its territories and would delay its goal to regain them.

The Ukrainian government and some international observers have expressed concerns about Trump’s approach. Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik told BBC Radio 5 “Live Breakfast” that she was worried about Putin’s “isolation” ending and the potential for him to manipulate the peace process.

“How do we know that Putin really wants peace and wants to negotiate and then who or what will make sure that Putin will keep his part of the bargain?” Rudik asked.

European and U.S. stances

Seven European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, issued a joint statement emphasizing that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations. “Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength,” the statement read. The statement also called for strong security guarantees for Ukraine and expressed a desire to discuss the way forward with American allies.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet with Zelensky in Germany, further underlining the U.S. commitment to the diplomatic process. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also met with Zelensky in Kyiv on Feb. 12.

While the Trump-Putin phone call and subsequent diplomatic moves have been heralded as steps toward peace, they also highlight the complex and contentious nature of the negotiations. The Ukrainian government’s insistence on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with the broader geopolitical implications, ensure that the road to a “just peace” remains fraught with challenges.

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Trump and Putin ready to talk as Rubio calls for PEACEFUL END to Russia-Ukraine war.

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Trump and Putin set stage for high-stakes meeting amid Ukraine war stalemate.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com