Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism that a lasting peace with Russia could be achieved this year, following a nearly hour-long phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. He described the discussion as positive, substantial, and frank, highlighting the necessity for Ukraine and the United States to collaborate closely to bring the war to a close.
During their talks, Zelensky and Trump agreed on the importance of maintaining partnership between Ukraine and the United States. Zelensky noted that, together, under U.S. leadership, they believe a sustainable peace is attainable by the end of 2025.
This phone call came shortly after Trump had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, wherein the two leaders reached a preliminary agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities for a month on both sides of the conflict. Zelensky remarked that stopping such attacks could be one of the initial steps toward an overall resolution to the war.
"One of the first steps toward ending the war could be stopping attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. I have supported this measure, and Ukraine is ready to implement it," Zelensky stated, emphasizing the necessity of a total truce as a foundation for any lasting peace agreement.
Despite these hopeful discussions, Putin did not accept the U.S. proposal of a total ceasefire, arguing that Ukraine should first cease receiving military and intelligence support from Western allies. This negotiation impasse showcases the ongoing complexities facing peace talks.
However, teams from both Ukraine and the U.S. are prepared to convene in Saudi Arabia shortly to pursue further coordination on peace measures, demonstrating a continued commitment to finding common ground.
In a subsequent post on Truth Social, Trump reflected positively on his conversation with Zelensky, detailing that the discourse was constructive, building on his earlier dialogue with Putin.
In a separate development earlier that day, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the exchange of 175 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. This notable event was one of the largest exchanges in the ongoing conflict, with Zelensky confirming the release of 175 Ukrainian prisoners along with 22 severely injured soldiers who would receive immediate medical help.
This recent phone call between Trump and Zelensky follows a tumultuous previous interaction in the Oval Office in late February 2025, during which Trump had accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and financial support provided by the U.S. The dynamics between the two leaders had reached a low point then, marked by accusations of playing with world peace.
Since that confrontation, relations have notably improved, with military aid and intelligence sharing between the two countries restored. Zelensky has continuously expressed gratitude towards the U.S. for its support, aligning himself under what he refers to as the strong leadership of President Trump.
As the discussions for peace continue, representatives from both nations met in Saudi Arabia last week, leading to a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Russia has partially accepted, allowing more room for negotiation.
In terms of specific outcomes from the discussions between Trump and Putin, several pivotal points were raised:
- Russia agreed to pause its attacks on energy infrastructure for a month.
- The U.S. and Russian negotiators intend to hold maritime ceasefire talks in the Black Sea.
- No agreement was reached on a comprehensive ceasefire across land, sea, and air.
While Putin emphasized that the ultimate condition for any lasting resolution would involve Ukraine halting its military advancements and ceasing to receive any Western support, the underlying demands from both sides remain highly contentious.
Ukrainian demands center on ensuring complete Russian withdrawal and the return to pre-2014 borders, including membership in NATO. Conversely, Russia requires recognition of its annexed territories, firmly opposing Ukraine's NATO membership and suggesting regional territory exchanges.
This intricate web of negotiations reveals the competing interests between the two nations, each presenting both negotiable and non-negotiable demands. The ongoing talks epitomize a critical moment in the struggle for both peace and territorial integrity in the region.
