Putin and Trump agree to pursue an early end to the Ukraine war and restore ties

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed that the Ukraine war should end as soon as possible, the Kremlin said, linking an end to the conflict with the prospect of fully restoring US-Russia relations.

The roughly one-hour call followed weekend diplomacy by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who visited Moscow and Kyiv for discussions on ending the war. Their efforts produced no immediate result, but the Kremlin said they had received a positive assessment from both presidents and raised the possibility of restarting negotiations.

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President Donald Trump clearly emphasized that it is desirable to end the conflict as soon as possible.

The Kremlin has not ruled out renewed trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The statement on the Putin-Trump call did not mention such a meeting, however. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin briefed Trump on the battlefield and asked what help the United States could provide in ending the conflict.

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An impressive and broad prospect for the complete restoration of US-Russia relations.

“President Donald Trump clearly emphasized that it is desirable to end the conflict as soon as possible,” Ushakov told reporters. He said Trump viewed an end to the war as opening “an impressive and broad prospect for the complete restoration of US-Russia relations,” including trade and economic ties that could bring major benefits to both countries.

Ushakov said Putin supported that approach. He also said the presidents agreed that prisoner exchanges should continue. According to Ushakov, Putin told Trump that Russia had no hostile intentions toward Europe despite repeated claims by European politicians. “It was emphasized that we absolutely have no aggressive plans toward Europe,” he said.

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It was emphasized that we absolutely have no aggressive plans toward Europe.