President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Osaka, Japan, in 2019. (Susan Walsh/AP)
President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, marking their first conversation since Trump won the recent U.S. election. According to sources familiar with the call, Trump advised Putin not to escalate the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has created global tensions. This direct communication reflects Trump’s stated goal of quickly negotiating peace in Ukraine, though the details of his approach remain unclear.
The call took place from Trump’s resort in Florida and comes during a transitional period where his team is still establishing contact channels with international leaders. Trump reportedly reminded Putin of the substantial U.S. military presence in Europe, hinting at a stable deterrent if tensions rise further. People familiar with the call said Trump expressed his hope for future conversations aimed at a “resolution of Ukraine’s war soon.”
Trump’s campaign emphasized his commitment to ending the war quickly, though he has not laid out specifics. Observers note that Trump has hinted he might support an agreement where Russia retains control of some captured territories. During the call, sources said he briefly raised the topic of disputed lands, leaving open questions about his stance on Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Following Trump’s election win, global leaders have begun reaching out, including Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky was reportedly informed about Trump’s conversation with Putin and did not oppose it. According to sources, Ukrainian officials were already prepared for Trump’s intent to engage Putin diplomatically. However, Trump’s initial interactions with world leaders, including his discussion with Zelensky, have taken place without support from the U.S. State Department, as the official transition process is not yet fully underway. Trump’s team has been cautious about involving career government officials, citing concerns over leaks experienced during his previous term.
In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov initially signaled a reserved response to Trump’s win, indicating no plans for Putin to contact the incoming president of what he described as “an unfriendly country.” However, Putin later publicly congratulated Trump, praising his response to an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and expressing readiness to speak. Peskov noted that Trump’s approach, described as pragmatic and deal-oriented, contrasts with what he called a confrontational stance by previous U.S. administrations.
In the U.S., this conversation has sparked debates over Trump’s potential strategy in Ukraine. A former U.S. official familiar with the call suggested that Trump is keen to avoid an immediate crisis upon assuming office, which could drive him to prevent Russia from escalating the conflict. This interest aligns with Trump’s broader aim of shifting U.S. foreign policy away from long-term conflicts.
Trump’s interaction with Zelensky earlier in the week was amicable, although Ukrainian officials remain concerned about the implications of a Trump presidency for their defense against Russian aggression. Ukraine continues to rely heavily on financial and military support from the U.S. and its allies, especially as Russia intensifies its military operations. Trump has previously criticized the financial burden of supporting Ukraine, suggesting that a compromise — potentially involving concessions of territory to Russia — might have served both sides better.
Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on Russia on Sunday, hitting the Moscow region and five other Russian territories. Moscow reported intercepting dozens of drones, marking one of the largest Ukrainian operations since the conflict began. As both nations prepare for potential escalations, U.S. intelligence has noted increased Russian reinforcements, including North Korean troops stationed in the contested Kursk region.
Trump’s remarks hint at his belief that a compromise might have mitigated the destruction in Ukraine, saying during a recent speech that “even a bad deal would have been better” than the current situation. He suggested that Ukraine might have preserved lives and infrastructure had an early compromise been reached.
Trump’s incoming administration faces significant challenges as it navigates this complex international landscape. His approach to the Ukraine conflict, aiming for a swift end but possibly at a territorial cost, marks a departure from current U.S. policy and could shift the balance of diplomatic and military power in Europe.
#TrumpPutinTalks #UkraineConflict #PeaceInEurope #DiplomacyFirst #GlobalTensions