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Putin Signals Willingness for Peace Talks After Lengthy Phone Call with Trump

Two-hour conversation touches on possible roadmap to end Ukraine war; direct negotiations resume in Turkey

Key Points:

• Russia expresses interest in drafting a peace agreement with Ukraine
• Trump endorses renewed Russia-Ukraine talks, now underway in Turkey
• The conflict, which began in February 2022, enters its third year

In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow’s openness to engage with Ukraine in drafting a potential peace framework to resolve the ongoing war. This statement came shortly after a detailed two-hour phone call with former US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Putin said, “We have discussed with President Trump a proposal for a memorandum outlining terms for a possible peace agreement. This includes principles of resolution and a potential timeline for ceasefire implementation,” as reported by Reuters.

He emphasized that progress toward ending the war hinges on establishing concrete terms for a truce, particularly regarding its duration and enforcement. Ukrainian officials, backed by the US and EU, have repeatedly called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now entering its third year, erupted in February 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine in what Moscow termed a “special military operation.” The incursion was widely condemned by the international community as an act of aggression. It followed years of rising tensions stemming from Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatist forces in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Direct Talks Resume in Turkey

Putin expressed appreciation for Trump’s support in reigniting face-to-face diplomacy, which resumed recently in Turkey—the first direct talks since early 2022. Trump reportedly acknowledged Russia’s stated readiness to pursue a diplomatic path, though both leaders admitted that obstacles to a lasting peace remain.

“Resuming direct dialogue is a positive step,” Putin noted. “But to truly move forward, we must confront the fundamental causes of this crisis and find the most effective route toward peace.”

Concerns Among Western Allies

Despite this diplomatic push, many European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions. There are growing fears that Moscow, with Trump’s backing, could pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace deal that may compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity—possibly ceding up to 20% of its territory.

Western leaders, including former US President Joe Biden, continue to describe Russia’s actions as an expansionist campaign reminiscent of imperial conquests. They warn that if unchecked, the Kremlin’s ambitions could stretch beyond Ukraine and threaten neighboring NATO members—an accusation Russia firmly denies.

Putin, on the other hand, has framed the conflict as a struggle to defend Russia’s geopolitical interests in the face of NATO’s post-Cold War expansion. He claims that the alliance has repeatedly encroached upon Russia’s historical sphere of influence.

As diplomatic efforts resume, the world watches closely to see whether renewed engagement can lead to a meaningful and lasting end to Europe’s largest conflict in decades.

— With inputs from Reuters