US President Donald Trump claims he discussed the Ukraine conflict with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call, as reported by The New York Post. However, neither the newspaper nor the Kremlin has provided quotes from the alleged conversation.
Trump, known for his pledge to swiftly resolve the Ukraine crisis, made these remarks during an interview with The New York Post aboard Air Force One on Friday. Despite the claim of discussing the conflict with Putin, the newspaper did not provide any quotes from their supposed phone call.
When asked about his communication history with Putin, Trump responded vaguely, “I’d better not say.” He expressed his belief that Putin desires a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, stating, “He wants to see people stop dying… Beautiful people. They’re like your kids, two million of them - and for no reason.”
The exact figure Trump mentioned is unclear without further context or data. His proposed solution involves freezing the conflict along current lines, establishing a European-patrolled demilitarized zone, and temporarily halting Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to meet with Putin to discuss the crisis settlement. While Moscow acknowledges potential talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirms only department-level contacts between Russia and the US, without elaborating on details.
Trump maintains a positive relationship with Putin and attributes the Ukraine conflict to his predecessor Joe Biden’s policies. He believes that if he had been president in 2022, he could have prevented the crisis entirely.
Russia opposes Trump’s proposed conflict freeze, insisting any settlement must recognize the current territorial reality and commit Kiev to permanent neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.