Faith Nyasuguta
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
This comes after a surprising phone call between the two leaders, marking their first confirmed conversation since Trump’s return to the White House. Trump described the discussion as “lengthy and highly productive,” signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations. The Kremlin stated that the call lasted nearly one-and-a-half hours and confirmed that Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow.
Trump told reporters that the meeting is likely to take place “in the not too distant future” in Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman playing a crucial role in facilitating the talks. The Crown Prince was recently involved in a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, highlighting his growing influence in international diplomacy.
Trump emphasized that both he and Putin want to end the war, stating on his Truth Social platform, “We want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.”
Despite Trump’s optimism, his announcement raised concerns that Ukraine might be sidelined in negotiations about its own future. Trump stated that Ukraine’s desire to join NATO was “not practical,” aligning with one of Moscow’s key demands. However, he denied allegations that Ukraine was being excluded from the discussions, emphasizing that peace in Ukraine remains a priority.
After his conversation with Putin, Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not included in the call with Putin. Zelensky later described the conversation as “meaningful” and confirmed that he shared details about the planned negotiations.
Trump stated that Zelensky, like Putin, “wants to make PEACE.” Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, confirmed that high-level negotiation teams would be formed immediately and would begin daily work. Zelensky and his officials are also set to meet U.S. representatives at the Munich Security Conference to discuss the upcoming peace process.
Trump’s direct negotiations with Putin have sparked fears that the United States might be conceding to Russian demands. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s goals, calling its ambition to restore pre-2014 borders an “illusionary goal” and describing NATO membership for Ukraine as “not realistic.”
These statements align with Moscow’s key demands but have raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals. Trump dismissed these concerns, stating that NATO membership for Ukraine was “impractical” and denying that Ukraine was being sidelined.
Zelensky is seeking firm security guarantees from Washington as part of any peace agreement. Trump, on the other hand, has suggested a potential deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. military aid, indicating an economic dimension to the negotiations.
Trump’s willingness to engage with Putin marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, especially given his previous praise of the Russian president. The upcoming peace talks are expected to be closely watched as the world anticipates a possible end to the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.
However, the announcement has been met with unease in Europe. French, German, and Spanish foreign ministers emphasized that any peace agreement must involve Ukraine and its European allies to ensure a “just and lasting peace.” The Kremlin, meanwhile, agreed that a long-term resolution could be achieved through peace talks but emphasized the need to “address the root causes of the conflict.” Moscow continues to blame the West’s influence over Kyiv as the underlying issue.
There were signs of easing tensions earlier this week when Russia released U.S. teacher Marc Fogel and Belarus freed a U.S. citizen as part of a prisoner swap deal. In exchange, the U.S. released Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik. These diplomatic moves suggest a cautious opening for dialogue but also underline the complex geopolitical stakes involved.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference, where the framework for upcoming peace talks will likely be discussed. These meetings are crucial for ensuring that Ukraine’s interests are represented in the negotiations.
Trump’s announcement of direct peace talks with Putin has opened a new chapter in international diplomacy concerning the Ukraine conflict. While the initiative offers hope for ending the war, it also raises questions about the balance of power in the negotiations and the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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