Russia-Ukraine crisis: Trump confirms Putin, Zelenskiy in negotiation to end war

Donald Trump, President of the United States has confirmed via phone calls to Vladimir Putin, President of Russia and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, president of Russia that talks to end the war in Ukraine will be happening soon.

Trump said Putin agreed to negotiations to end the nearly three-year war on Wednesday which is the first announced conversation between both leaders since Trump became US president for the second time.

In a Truth Social post he detailed the content of their conversation

“ I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, we discussed Ukraine…but first we agreed we want to stop the millions of death taking place with Russia/ Ukraine,”

He said the negotiations are underway as both have ready hand delegates to discuss the terms of the negotiations.

“ We have also agreed to have our respective teams start the negotiation process immediately,” he said.

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Trump’s conversation with Putin may also signal that Washington and Moscow could work to hammer out a deal to end fighting in Ukraine by going around Kyiv, a development that would break with the previous Biden administration, which had steadfastly insisted that Ukraine’s leadership would be a full participant in any decisions made.

Shortly after calls with Putin, he spoke with Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine whom he said agrees with the suggestions on peace

“ I just spoke with President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine, the conversation went well. He, like Putin, wants to make peace,” he said.

According to him, the negotiations will begin right away in Munich, Germany.

“The meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, and I’m hoping that the results of the meeting will be positive,” he said

Zelenskiy during his nightly address to the nation confirmed the conversation with saying Trump had informed him of his conversation with Putin and that he appreciated the US president’s “genuine interest in our shared opportunities and how we can bring about a real peace together”.

“We believe that America’s strength, together with Ukraine and all of our partners, is enough to push Russia to peace,” he later wrote on social media.

The US negotiating team would include Marco Rubio, secretary of state; John Ratcliffe, director of the CIA; Michael Waltz, national security adviser; and Steve Witkoff, ambassador and special envoy.