Trump says Putin agreed to Ukraine war talks ‘immediately’ – DW – 02/12/2025

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a lengthy phone call, with the Russian president agreeing to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

What was discussed on the Trump-Putin call?

In a Truth Social post, Trump said he spoke with Putin not only about Ukraine, but also “the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar and various other subjects.” 

“But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia, Ukraine,” Trump said. Official figures do not put the deaths of the war in the millions.

“We agreed to work together, very closely, including visitng each other’s nations,” Trump said. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now.” 

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will lead the negotiations from the US side. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also confirmed the Trump-Putin call and said Putin is willing to host US representatives in Russia to discuss the Ukrainian conflict.    

“Putin and Trump have also agreed to continue personal contacts, including organizing a personal meeting,” Peskov said, noting that Putin has invited Trump to Moscow. 

The Ukrainian presidency later said that a call had taken place between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.