Moscow, Russia: Days after his election victory, US President-elect Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin from his Mar-a-Lago residence, urging him not to intensify the Ukraine conflict, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
According to the report, Trump emphasized the extensive US military presence in Europe during the call and expressed a desire for additional discussions to work towards a “swift resolution of Ukraine’s war.” The call marks an early indication of Trump’s approach to foreign policy and his stated commitment to reducing US involvement in overseas conflicts.
The conversation with Putin reflects Trump’s campaign pledge to bring a quick end to the Ukraine war. This approach has raised concerns about potential shifts in US policy, especially given Trump’s questioning of the multi-billion dollar aid package currently allocated to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a separate call with Trump last Wednesday, which was joined by influential billionaire Elon Musk. Zelensky later described the call as “excellent,” adding that both leaders agreed on the importance of “maintaining a close dialogue and advancing cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the Biden administration aims to reinforce Ukraine’s position by utilizing the remaining $6 billion in US funding before Trump’s January inauguration. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan highlighted the administration’s goal of strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield position to secure favorable terms in eventual peace talks.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s outreach with cautious optimism, noting that Trump’s focus on peace offers a “positive signal,” diverging from what Peskov described as a confrontational tone of previous US administrations.
While Trump has called for swift negotiations, his team has faced pushback from European allies concerned about the implications of such a move. Some allies, including Britain and France, have voiced apprehension over any sudden shifts in US support that could weaken Ukraine’s position.
Zelensky, for his part, has ruled out territorial concessions, contending that any compromise on Ukrainian land would encourage further Kremlin aggression—a sentiment echoed by many European allies wary of unilateral deals.
Trump’s brief mention of territorial concessions in his call with Putin signals the delicate balance his administration will need to strike between peace efforts and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The Trump-Putin call comes at a time of increased violence, with large-scale drone strikes by both sides. On Sunday, Russia launched 145 drones toward Ukraine, while Ukraine retaliated with drone attacks over Moscow, signaling the intensity of the conflict as both sides seek leverage ahead of potential negotiations.
