Trump, Putin Speak Following New US Push to End Russia-Ukraine War
Trump and Putin Hold Hourlong Call as Washington Renews Effort to Broker Peace Between Russia and Ukraine
President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as the White House continues a renewed diplomatic effort to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. The roughly hourlong conversation came shortly after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to both Moscow and Kyiv for meetings with the two sides. The latest push represents another attempt by the Trump administration to revive negotiations after previous talks failed to produce a lasting agreement.
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the Trump-Putin conversation as constructive and candid. According to Moscow, Trump emphasized his desire to see the war resolved as quickly as possible and discussed the possibility of eventually restoring broader relations between the United States and Russia. Putin reportedly expressed support for continuing diplomatic discussions while outlining Russia’s position on the battlefield and negotiations.
The phone call followed a weekend diplomatic mission by Witkoff and Kushner, who first met Putin in Moscow before traveling to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Their meeting with Putin reportedly lasted more than three hours and included discussions about possible paths toward a settlement. The envoys later described their talks in Ukraine as meaningful and substantive.
Despite the latest round of diplomacy, no major breakthrough has been announced. One of the biggest obstacles remains the future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow and Kyiv remain deeply divided over territory. Russia has demanded control over the entire region, while Ukraine has resisted surrendering territory it still controls.
Zelensky nevertheless indicated that some of the ideas brought forward by the American delegation were worth pursuing. He said there were several potentially useful proposals and expressed hope that another round of negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could take place. Kyiv has also signaled that it could consider compromises involving energy infrastructure and grain exports as part of broader negotiations.
Trump has repeatedly argued that ending the fighting could also open the door to improved economic and diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow. According to the Kremlin, the president raised the possibility of fully restoring US-Russian relations if the conflict can be brought to an end. Putin reportedly told Trump that Moscow does not have plans for military aggression against European countries.
The diplomatic activity comes as fighting continues despite a temporary pause in attacks surrounding the American envoys’ visits. Russia and Ukraine resumed major aerial attacks after the brief lull, underscoring how far the two countries remain from a comprehensive ceasefire. Both sides have continued using drones and missiles while the front lines remain largely locked in a grinding war of attrition.
Zelensky is also expected to meet with Trump later in September, when Ukraine’s military needs and the peace process are likely to dominate discussions. Kyiv is seeking additional Patriot air-defense support as it prepares for the possibility of another winter of fighting. With Washington now pushing for renewed negotiations, the coming weeks could determine whether the latest diplomatic effort produces meaningful progress or becomes another stalled attempt to end the war.