US President Donald Trump holds a 90-minute-long call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as concerns grow over Ukraine’s exclusion from key negotiations
March 18, 2025: Washington DC / Moscow:
In a high-stakes diplomatic effort, US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin today to discuss potential solutions for ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The 90-minute-long phone call, which began at 10 am Eastern Time (US), is still ongoing, according to the White House.
"The call is going well and still in progress," a White House official stated, hinting at significant negotiations between the two world leaders.
Trump's Negotiations with Putin on Ukraine's Fate
- Territorial Concessions? Even before the call, Trump suggested that Russia might be allowed to keep certain captured Ukrainian territories, sparking concerns in European capitals and Kyiv.
- US-Russia Asset Division? Trump also confirmed that discussions had begun on “dividing up certain assets”, though details remain unclear.
- Exclusion of Ukraine? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration have not been included in these discussions, raising alarms over a unilateral settlement being imposed on Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Ceasefire Conditions vs. Moscow’s Demands
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Following Zelensky's tense meeting with Trump at the White House last month, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day temporary ceasefire to open talks with Russia. However, Moscow has insisted on strict conditions, including:
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- No NATO peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.
- The US halting arms supply to Ukraine.
- Kyiv accepting Moscow’s territorial gains as a precondition for negotiations.
Despite these demands, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga rejected Russia’s terms, stating:
"It is time for Russia to show whether it really wants peace. Any ceasefire must be unconditional."
Europe’s Fears Over Trump’s Russia Policy
European nations fear Trump’s pro-Russia stance may lead to Ukraine losing significant territory in a deal that prioritizes American-Russian relations over Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Putin remains confident, declaring that Russian forces are "steadily advancing" and that any ceasefire would primarily benefit Ukraine, not Russia.
With no clear resolution in sight, the Trump-Putin call could determine the next phase of the Russia-Ukraine war—or set the stage for a controversial geopolitical settlement.
Tags:
#TrumpPutin, #RussiaUkraineWar, #USForeignPolicy, #UkraineCrisis, #Geopolitics, #NATO, #PeaceNegotiations, #RussiaInvadesUkraine, #Zelensky, #GlobalPolitics
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
