Importance Score: 78 / 100 🔴
Trump Reportedly Promises Putin Open Line Amid Ukraine War Discussions
During a recent phone conversation where they explored the potential for peace talks to conclude the Russia-initiated conflict in Ukraine, Donald Trump purportedly assured Vladimir Putin that he would answer his calls “anytime,” according to Yuri Ushakov, a Russian presidential aide. Ushakov relayed recorded remarks to reporters, indicating that the two leaders addressed the Ukraine war and the state of relations between their nations, though they did not establish a definite timeline for a cessation of hostilities.
Trump’s Pledge to Putin
As Washington intensifies its efforts to bring the Russian president to the negotiation table, Mr. Trump is said to have made a commitment to Putin, stating, “Vladimir, you can pick up the phone anytime, and I’ll be happy to answer and happy to talk to you.”
Future US-Russia Partnership
Ushakov also stated that the Republican voiced his opinion that Russia would emerge as one of the US’s most significant allies once the conflict in Ukraine is “resolved to some degree.”
Extended Conversation
The presidential aide noted that neither president “wanted to end” the “rare” phone call – the third such exchange between them. He elaborated, “I’ll tell you, it’s rare to have conversations of such length, where both presidents – neither of them – wanted to end it, didn’t want, if I can put it this way, to hang up.”
Potential In-Person Meeting
Looking ahead, Ushakov disclosed that Mr. Trump and Putin plan to organize a “well and thoroughly prepared” face-to-face meeting, although a specific date or location has not yet been determined.
Previous Communications
The pair had previously communicated by phone on February 12 and March 18. Following their most recent discussion, the US president conveyed that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war.”
Negotiation Details
He further commented that direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine are essential “because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
No Apparent Concessions
The US President did not appear to pressure Putin into any compromise, as the Kremlin leader stated after the phone call that resolving the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine is essential for creating peace – presumed to be a reference to NATO’s expansion and Ukraine’s desire to join.
Key Issues for Resolution
- The Russian president pinpointed the annexed territory of Crimea.
- Separatist regions in Donbas as key matters that need to be resolved.
He said: “Eliminating the root causes of this crisis is what matters most to us.”