In a major foreign policy development, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants “peace,” following a conversation between the two leaders. Trump’s remarks came after his discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump-Zelenskyy Talks on Peace and Cooperation
President Trump spoke with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, describing their conversation as positive. Zelenskyy, in a post on X, called it a “meaningful” discussion, revealing that they talked about preparing a document on security and economic cooperation. He emphasized their commitment to exploring peace opportunities and Ukraine’s readiness to work with the US at the team level, including collaboration in the technology sector.
Following this exchange, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “I just spoke to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE.” He also announced that Zelenskyy would meet US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich on Friday to discuss further steps.
Trump Shifts US Policy on Ukraine, Talks With Putin
In a dramatic shift from the previous administration’s stance, Trump announced that he and Putin had agreed to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war. He revealed that they had a “lengthy” conversation and had agreed to “work together, very closely” toward peace. Trump also suggested that he and Putin might meet in person—potentially in each other’s countries—to advance the peace process.
However, it remains uncertain how involved Zelenskyy will be in these discussions, raising questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
US-Russia Prisoner Swap Precedes Policy Shift
Trump’s announcement followed a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. As part of the deal, Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained for over three years for marijuana possession, while the US handed over Russian national Alexander Vinnik, who faced charges related to cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering.
Break From Biden Administration’s Ukraine Policy
Trump’s approach marks a stark departure from former US President Joe Biden’s Ukraine policy. Biden had strongly supported Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and maintained a “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” stance, ensuring Kyiv had a central role in all international decisions regarding the conflict.
With Trump now pushing for direct negotiations with Putin, the geopolitical landscape surrounding the war in Ukraine appears to be entering a new phase—one that could redefine US involvement in the conflict and reshape global diplomatic efforts for peace.
What’s Next?
As Zelenskyy prepares for high-level meetings with US officials in Munich, the international community will closely watch how these diplomatic efforts unfold. Whether Trump’s initiative leads to a concrete peace agreement remains to be seen, but his pivot in US policy signals a major shift in Washington’s approach to the Ukraine war.
Sources By Agencies
