US President Trump has confirmed a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the conversation as “long and very productive.” The discussion covered a range of topics, including Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, the power of the US dollar and other issues.
According to Trump, the two leaders have agreed to work closely together, with possible visits to each other’s countries included. They have also agreed that their respective teams will begin negotiations immediately and Trump plans to inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the conversation.
In a subsequent statement, Trump mentioned that Putin even used his 2016 presidential campaign slogan, “Healthy American Pride” and that both leaders believe in the importance of that concept.
Trump also released a statement on his call with Zelenskyy, saying it went well and expressing his desire for peace.
Meanwhile, at the Ramstein meeting in Brussels, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth stated that he does not see a perspective for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
“We want a sovereign and thriving Ukraine, but we must start acknowledging that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic perspective” he said. “Pursuing this illusory goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”
It is worth noting that the last phone call of a US president with Putin dates back almost three years and the last visit of a US president to Moscow took place in 2013, when Barack Obama visited the city for a G20 summit.