Trump, Putin hold ‘highly productive’ talks as US pushes for end to Russia-Ukraine war

The US President emphasized the urgent need to halt the war’s human toll, stating that both the leaders in a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call agreed on the significance of “stopping the millions of deaths taking place in the war between Russia and Ukraine.”

President Donald Trump on Feb 12 made a significant effort to broker a negotiated resolution to the war in Ukraine, holding what he described as a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first confirmed conversation between the two leaders since Trump began his second term, signals the start of a US-backed push to end the conflict.

Trump characterized the call as laying the groundwork for future cooperation between the US and Russia, saying the discussion covered a broad range of topics, including energy, artificial intelligence, the US dollar, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. However, the primary focus was on finding a path to peace in Ukraine.

A Push for Diplomatic Resolution

The call marks a significant step in Trump’s long-stated goal of mediating an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations and the great benefit we will someday have in working together,” Trump said in a social media post following the conversation.

He emphasized the urgent need to halt the war’s human toll, stating that both leaders agreed on the importance of “stopping the millions of deaths taking place in the war between Russia and Ukraine”

To take forward the negotiations, Trump has formed a diplomatic team that includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff, who recently played a key role in securing the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher imprisoned in Russia for over three years.

The US delegation is expected to engage in preliminary talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials, aiming to de-escalate tensions and establish a framework for formal peace negotiations.

Russia responds as diplomatic channels open

The Kremlin confirmed the details of the call, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters that the two leaders spoke for approximately 90 minutes and expressed a mutual desire for greater cooperation. Putin, according to Peskov, extended an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow, signaling openness to further diplomatic engagement.

Peskov also echoed Trump’s remarks about collaboration, stating that Putin agreed “the time has come for our countries to work together.” The Kremlin has yet to outline specific steps it is willing to take in negotiations but indicated that further discussions could be on the horizon.

A shift in Trump’s approach to Russia

The conversation underscores a nuanced shift in Trump’s stance toward Russia. During his first term, he faced widespread criticism for his perceived warmth toward Putin, including a 2022 remark in which he called the Russian leader a “genius” for his handling of the Ukraine invasion. However, since returning to office, Trump has taken a more skeptical view of Russia’s military campaign.

“He (Putin) can’t be thrilled; he’s not doing so well. Russia is bigger. They have more soldiers to lose, but that’s no way to run a country.” Trump said.

The shift in tone suggests Trump is positioning himself as a tough but pragmatic negotiator, seeking to leverage US influence to put an end to the war.

Challenges ahead in Ukraine peace talks

Despite Trump’s push for diplomacy, significant challenges remain. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that any negotiations must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, making concessions to Russia unlikely.

Trump has said he plans to brief Zelenskyy on his discussions with Putin and aims to “start negotiations immediately.” However, with Ukraine receiving strong military and financial backing from Western allies, including the US and NATO, any agreement will require navigating complex geopolitical tensions.

Global skepticism toward Putin’s intentions also remains high. Some analysts warn that Moscow could use negotiations as a stalling tactic while consolidating territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. Others argue that without strong security guarantees, a rushed peace deal could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future aggression.

As Trump embarks on this diplomatic effort, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether his approach can gain traction and whether a negotiated resolution to the war is within reach.