In a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The move follows a sudden prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he spent more than an hour on the phone with Putin, discussing the possibility of a peace settlement. “I think we’re on the way to getting peace,” he stated, adding that he later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Trump was noncommittal about whether Ukraine would be treated as an equal participant in these talks.
“I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelenskyy wants peace, and I want peace,” Trump told reporters. “I just want to see people stop being killed.”
Trump-Putin Talks Raise Concerns Over Ukraine’s Role
Trump’s direct outreach to Moscow signals a dramatic policy shift from the previous Biden administration, which had insisted on Ukraine’s full participation in any peace process. When asked whether Kyiv would have an equal role, Trump responded, “Interesting question. I think they have to make peace.”
The president suggested he would “probably” meet Putin in person soon, potentially in Saudi Arabia, to further discuss a peace framework. The decision to engage with Moscow outside of Ukraine’s leadership has raised concerns about whether Washington is sidelining Kyiv in the process.
NATO Membership ‘Unrealistic’ for Ukraine
In another significant policy change, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO officials in Brussels that Ukraine’s membership in the alliance was impractical.
Trump echoed that sentiment, saying, “I don’t think it’s practical to have it, personally.” He added that Russia has long opposed Ukraine joining NATO, saying, “They’ve been saying for a long time that Ukraine cannot go into NATO, and I’m OK with that.”
This stance directly contradicts the Biden administration’s previous commitment, which had described Kyiv’s NATO membership as “inevitable” following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Reactions from Zelenskyy and the Kremlin
Despite the shift in U.S. policy, Zelenskyy attempted to maintain a positive outlook, calling his conversation with Trump “meaningful” and saying Ukraine remains ready to work together toward peace. In a social media post, he expressed gratitude toward Trump, despite concerns that Ukraine’s position in the negotiations may be weakened.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Trump and Putin had discussed a wide range of issues, including the Middle East and Iran, but that Ukraine remained the main focus.
“President Putin emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict,” Peskov said. He also stated that Putin agreed with Trump on the importance of achieving a long-term settlement through peace talks.
Peskov revealed that Putin invited Trump to Moscow and expressed Russia’s willingness to host U.S. officials to discuss Ukraine and other “mutual interests.”
A New Chapter in U.S.-Russia Relations?
Trump’s diplomatic outreach to Russia signals a major departure from past U.S. policies, raising questions about how the conflict in Ukraine will unfold. With NATO distancing itself from Ukrainian membership and direct U.S.-Russia negotiations on the table, the war may be entering a new phase—one where Kyiv’s role in shaping its own future remains uncertain.
Whether Trump’s personal engagement with Putin will lead to peace or further geopolitical tensions remains to be seen.
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