President-elect Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin not to escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a report from The Washington Post published Sunday. The phone call took place on Thursday, just days after Trump’s decisive victory over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, is said to have reminded Putin of the significant U.S. military presence in Europe and expressed his desire for continued dialogue aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. Although Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, declined to confirm the call, stating that private exchanges between Trump and other world leaders are not disclosed, sources familiar with the conversation shared the details on the condition of anonymity.
The call came at a crucial time, as Trump’s impending presidency promises to significantly impact the nearly three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has consistently called for a swift resolution to the war, and has expressed skepticism over the U.S.’s extensive financial and military support for Ukraine.
Trump also spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday, where the two leaders agreed to work together towards peace in Europe. Scholz’s office emphasized their commitment to cooperation in efforts to end the conflict.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a conversation with Trump, with tech mogul Elon Musk joining the call as well. Zelensky’s government has been a major recipient of U.S. support, and the Biden administration has confirmed it will send additional aid to Ukraine before Trump’s January inauguration. Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, noted that the White House is determined to strengthen Ukraine’s position both militarily and at the negotiation table.
The Russian government has cautiously welcomed Trump’s return to the political stage. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on Sunday that the signals from Trump’s camp were “positive,” as the president-elect has focused on peace talks rather than confrontation.
During his campaign, Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, though he did not detail how he intended to achieve this. He has been critical of U.S. financial support for Ukraine, often suggesting it benefits defense contractors and foreign policy hawks. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., also weighed in on the conflict, sharing a video on social media suggesting that Ukraine would lose U.S. financial aid soon.
Any potential peace deal under Trump would likely involve concessions from Ukraine, with some analysts predicting that Kyiv may need to relinquish territories in the south and east to Russia. The Kremlin’s occupation of Crimea in 2014 remains a contentious issue, with many in Kyiv opposing any agreement that would involve the ceding of land.
Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine will not surrender territory, arguing that such moves would only embolden Russian aggression. This sentiment is echoed by many European allies, who are wary of any sudden shifts in U.S. policy under Trump. Reports indicate that Trump raised the issue of land during his conversation with Putin, although the details remain unclear.
As both sides continue to make military advancements, the war has entered a new phase. This weekend saw significant drone attacks from both Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces launched 145 drones at Ukrainian targets, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for 34 drone attacks aimed at Moscow.
